Rest in Peace
Posted on 1/29/15 - by Darrell Palmer
This post is long overdue.
Capt. Westbrook I was assigned to 3/4 Cav. in Aug. 1968. So I never got to know You that well.
August 25, 1968 was only My second firefight. It was also one of the worst.
From everything I have heard about You, You are a hero in my eyes. You had dismounted your track (Armored Personnel Carrier) and was getting our tracks on line at the little rubber plantation when You were killed. Thank You for Your bravery and service to Our country. Rest in Peace.
Darrell Palmer
B Troop 3/4 Cavalry 25th Infantry Division 1968-1969
Donna Turner Horton
strmywthr5@aol.com
CAPT. James Westbrook on this day thirty nine years ago you gave your life for the freedom of others.The cost so very great but even after all these years the gift of freedom is so precious.Thank you CAPT.JAMES WESTBROOK.
Aug 25, 2007
Garnet Jenkins
Grand Junction Co.
~In Tribute to a Fallen Hero~
In Remembrance of this Young Soldier, with a Multitude of Thanks for his Courage, Service and Dedication to our Country and for Freedom. Rest well Capt. James Barrington Westbrook and know that you will NEVER BE FORGOTTEN. I am the sister of such a young hero, who made the Supreme Sacrifice in Vietnam 1967...
"THE SOLDIER, ABOVE ALL OTHERS IS REQUIRED TO PERFORM THE HIGHEST ACT OF RELIGIOUS TEACHING--SACRIFICE." General Douglas MacArthur
Aug 25, 2007
Colonel James Westbrook
Honoring your service and my humble gratitude to your family and friends.
May 29, 2007
Francis Kaufman
HONORING your memory today for the day you made the SUPREME SACRIFICE on August 25th 1968. You are not forgotten nor shall you ever be.
Monday, November 17, 2003
We Remember
James is buried at Memphis Nat Cem
Letter from XO to his son
Dear Jim, by way of introduction my name is Tom Tait and I was the XO of the 3/4th Cav while your dad was the squadron logistics officer.
I first met your dad when he was a 2nd Lt in Korea in 1963-64. He was a platoon leader in the 1st battalion 15th Armor and I was a company commander in the 2nd Battalion 15th Armor, located about 10--15 kilometers away. We were the only tank battalions in the 1st Cavalry Division and we were competitors in gunnery and all other things that could be measured. Your dad was known to the officers in my battalion as a superb platoon leader who, in Army parlance, was a comer ( had lots of potential). This was a time of considerable tension in Korea as there had been a number of border incursions by the North Koreans resulting in fire fights.
Thus all of us had to be on our toes and ready to go at a moments notice. Both tank battalions had missions to patrol the Imgine River south bank looking for North Koreans. They never bothered us. Your dad was one of the platoon leaders who was sent out at night to occupy platoon the river overwatch positions.
As the squadron S-4, he worked directly for me and was outstanding in his performance of the myriad of tasks I assigned him. We were never short of anything from guns to butter. He was all business, insuring that our soldiers were well taken care of. I believe he had the additional duty of mess officer and insured that our troopers had plenty of steak, etc. when they had a stand down from the field.
I was wounded on the 20th of April 1968 and your dad was there. He suffered a leg puncture wound from a grenade while I ended up with a broken leg and numerous holes all over my body. I was evacuated to the aid station on the Michelin Rubber Plantation. Your Dad eventually came there to have his wound treated. They sent a MEDIVAC helicopter for me and he helped me to the helicopter as I could no longer walk. That was the last time I saw him.
I just want you to know I have never forgotten him as he was a good soldier and leader, willing to make maximum effort to help his soldiers and his friends.
Sincerely;
Thomas H. Tait
MG(R) USA
Posted by: James B. Westbrook, II
Relationship: He is my father
Thursday, December 12, 2002
CPT Jim Westbrook, Commander, B Troop, 3/4 Cav., 25th Inf. Div
I was one of Capt. James B. Westbrook's platoon leaders (2nd Platoon) in B Troop, 3rd Squadron, 4th Cav., 25th Infantry Division. He was one of the most memorable armor officers I ever served with, built like a football player, fearless, a "hard-charger."
Jim voluntarily extended his tour beyond the one-year standard Army tour in Vietnam. In 1991 or 92, thanks to fellow platoon leader Jerry Headley, I met Jim's parents and sister in Washington, DC.
Jim had served as the 3/4 Cav. "S-4" (logistics officer) earlier in 1968 prior to taking command of B Troop.
In March of 1968 Jim or one of his NCOs in S-4 had posted a sign in Squadron Supply at Cu Chi, RVN, which read: "In God We Trust; All Others Will Sign a Hand Receipt." Always a sense of humor.
I hope others still recall Jim as fondly as I do. I think of him especially at Memorial Day.
Robert P. Fairchild
Vietnam veteran of the 25th Infantry Division
Hampton, Virginia
petefairch@aol.com
Posted by: Robert P. Fairchild
Email: petefairch@aol.com
Relationship: Platoon Leader in B Troop, 1968
Sunday, December 12, 1999 |
