Today my walk was dedicated in honor of:
Navy PO2 Benjamin H. West Jr. , Age 24 of Crossville, TN.
KIA Jan. 1, 1943
He died as a result of a plane crash while in the performance of duty and service of his country.
He was the first resident of Cumberland County to die in World War II.
Ben was a Navy Aviation machinists mate 2nd class
Ben Junior enlisted on December 1, 1940, received his basic training at the Navy Yard, Norfolk, Va., and attended a special school at Jacksonville, Fla., going immediately afterwards into active duty. His last visit home was at Thanksgiving time 1941, and almost immediately afterwards his parents received word of his transfer to a Pacific base. For almost a year he was stationed at Pearl Harbor, where he reported contacts with several Cumberland County boys, among them Sam Brewer, Jr., and the Conatser boys, Loy, Delmer, and Ogle, all of whom were in high school at the time Ben was. He passed his 24th birthday on October 3, 1942. He was graduated from County High with the class of 1938 and then attended the University of Tennessee. He afterwards became active with his father in the plumbing business. His friends were numbered by his acquaintances, because of his cheerful disposition and general friendly spirit. He was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason in Crossville Lodge No. 483 on February 7, 1940, and soon thereafter was received into membership in Amanda Chapter No. 4, Order of the Eastern Star. At the stated meeting of the Chapter Tuesday evening, January 12, Mr. and Mrs. West, both of whom are members, their son Paul, a corporal in the U. S. Army, and his wife, attended the ceremony of draping the charter of the Chapter in tribute to their son and brother. A service flag with one gold star was hung on the Chapter wall during the ceremony.
He is buried in the Crossville City Cemetery and his name is on the Honor Roll wall down town at the War Memorial Park.
We had an amazing walk this morning. This was a special walk as we reached the 2,000 Mile mark. Also, the flag reached 1,000 miles and will be retired. I want to thank everyone who honked and waved in helping me honor this hero. It was amazing.
He will not be forgotten.
