CONOVER, WI, US
U.S. Army
SSG, 62D ORDNANCE DISPOSAL CO, FORT CARSON, CO
05/11/2010, IVO VILLAGE OF MORGHAN, AFGHANISTAN
Staff Sergeant Matthew J. West of Conover, Wisconsin grew up in Michigan and graduated in 1992 from Gaylord High School. He joined the Army in June of 2004 and had been in Afghanistan since July 2010, but was there previously from March through September in 2006.
West, 36, died August 30, 2010, in a bomb explosion in the Arghandab River Valley in Afghanistan, along with four other soldiers all based at Fort Carson, Colorado. He served with the 71st Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group.
Matt was previously in Iraq and joined the unit in January 2010.
His Awards and Decorations include, the Bronze Star, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal – 2, Meritorious Unit Citation, Army Good Conduct Medal – 2, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal – 2, Iraq Campaign Medal – w/Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon – 2, NATO Medal, Combat Action Badge and the Senior Explosive Ordnance Disposal Badge.
He leaves behind his wife, Carolyn and three children. He died at age 36 in the Arghandab River Valley, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device.
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