Grayson Jerald West

Grayson Jerald West was born and raised in Webster City and attended the local school district. He joined the Army in the late 1940s and served 18 years in the armed forces. West trained as an infantryman and became Special Forces qualified. In November 1965 SFC West deployed to South Vietnam and was assigned to the 5th Special Forces Group. Less than one month into his deployment he was killed. SFC West died on December 16, 1965 from gunshot wounds inflicted by enemy forces in the vicinity of Hill 508 in the Quang Ngai Province. He was 37 years old at the time of his death. West left behind a wife, two sons, and four step children. His remains were recovered and buried at the Raleigh National Cemetery in North Carolina.