Chester Howard West

First Sergeant, U.S. Army

Medal of Honor Recipient

World War I

First Sergeant Chester Howard West (3 January 1888 - 20 May 1935) was a U.S. Army soldier who received the U.S. military's highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor, for his heroic actions during World War I.

Chester Howard West was born in Fort Collins, CO, on 3 January 1888 and he entered Army service at Los Banos, CA.

Medal of Honor

Rank and organization: First Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company D, 363d Infantry, 91st Division.

Place and date: Near Bois-de-Cheppy, France, 26 September 1918.

Citation: While making his way through a thick fog with his automatic rifle section, his advance was halted by direct and unusual machinegun fire from 2 guns. Without aid, he at once dashed through the fire and, attacking the nest, killed 2 of the gunners, 1 of whom was an officer. This prompt and decisive hand-to-hand encounter on his part enabled his company to advance farther without the loss of a man.

Death and Burial

First Sergeant Chester Howard West died on 20 May 1935. He is buried at Van Sickle Cemetery in Southside, WV.