West served in the
6th Cavalry Regiment on the western frontier. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for rallying his men against a fortified position at Big Dry Wash, Arizona. Three other men, Second Lieutenant
George H. Morgan, Second Lieutenant
Thomas Cruse and First Sergeant
Charles Taylor were also awarded Medals of Honor in this action. Morgan and Cruse are also Academy graduates. West became
Colonel of the
2nd Cavalry Regiment in October 1906, and was retired on his 64th birthday in 1914. His wife was Rebecca Kenyon. ==Medal of Honor citation==