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Remember...Darrell Charles West
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 Darrell Charles West |
Darrell C. West was born in Mudfork in Calhoun County, West Virginia, on February 12, 1947, the youngest child of James and Alma Coen Cadle West. Darrell had two brothers, Blain and Bernard; four half-brothers, Carroll, Harold, Richard and Raymond Cadle; and two half-sisters, Inez and Agnes. Darrell attended a one-room school in Mudfork and Minnora Grade School in Minnora, West Virginia, before the family moved to Ohio.
As a young boy, Darrell, who was called "Joe," liked spending time with his brother Blain. He loved the outdoors and enjoyed riding his motorcycle. He also enjoyed deer hunting whenever he had the opportunity to do so. Another favorite pastime was getting together with family and friends. |
 Darrell and Blain West |
 Darrell Charles West |
Prior to being drafted into the army in November of 1967, Darrell worked for Cardinal Rubber and Stuver Brothers in Ohio. Darrell, a tank gunner, was sent to Vietnam for a two-year stint. On May 12, 1969, Darrell was aboard a rescue helicopter taking part in the ten-day siege leading the capture of a mountaintop near the Laotian border known as "Hamburger Hill." The copter had been sent into the thick of the fighting and was shot down. PFC. Darrell C. West and 13 others were encircled by the enemy. During this encounter PFC. West was killed. |
The body of PFC. Darrell C. (Joe) West was returned to the United States and on May 30, 1969, was interred in the Coen Cemetery in Calhoun County.
| Darrell C. (Joe) West was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, and a certificate of Honorable Service. |  Bronze Star certificate |
Information and photos courtesy Harold and Lula Cadle
West Virginia Archives and History welcomes any additional information that can be provided about these veterans, including photographs, family names, letters and other relevant personal history.
