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Master Sergeant Robert H. West was born in Euclid, Ohio on March 6, 1969. He grew up in Elyria, where he attended Elyria Catholic High School and graduated in 1987.
West was active in sports and clubs throughout his high school career at Elyria Catholic High School and was a member of the state championship football team. in 1984. He also was involved in choir, baseball and the ski club, according to Elyria Catholic attendance secretary Mary Machovina. ”He was a quiet, great kid,” said Lou Rotunda, the high school’s former freshman basketball coach. ”He was just a fantastic person.”
He joined the U.S. Army in 1988 and served as a tank commander and a drill instructor. He was serving his second tour of duty in Iraq, helping train Iraqi police officers. West died in Baghdad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated HMMWV during combat operations. He died on May 14, 2006 at the age of 37. A plaque hangs in Elyria Catholic High School in his honor.
