SEARCH SITE

VIRGINIA LAW PORTAL

SEARCHABLE DATABASES

ACROSS SESSIONS

Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.

2015 SESSION

15103088D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 736
Offered February 3, 2015
Celebrating the life of Captain William E. West, Jr., USCG (Ret.).
----------
Patrons-- Bloxom; Senator: Lewis
----------

WHEREAS, Captain William E. West, Jr., USCG (Ret.), a proud World War II veteran and a respected leader who safeguarded the Commonwealth as a member of the United States Coast Guard died on August 12, 2014; and

WHEREAS, a native of Accomack County, William West attended the United States Merchant Marine Academy and served as a cadet midshipman during the Battle of the Atlantic in World War II; he completed three convoy runs to deliver supplies for the war effort and graduated in 1944; and

WHEREAS, after graduation, William West continued to serve his country with the United States Navy as an ensign aboard the USS Winslow, which performed convoy and carrier escort duties; after the war, he sailed aboard merchant ships and quickly rose to the rank of chief mate; and

WHEREAS, William West briefly returned to the United States Navy before transferring to the United States Coast Guard in 1949; in less than five years, he served aboard four ships and twice served as executive officer; and

WHEREAS, after earning his unlimited Master Mariner’s license, Captain West took command of the USCGC Triton in 1955; over the next 26 years, Captain West commanded ships in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and served as either executive or commanding officer at posts in Florida, New Jersey, Texas, and Alaska; and

WHEREAS, throughout his career, Captain West was deployed to the Arctic three times and to the Antarctic four times; he commanded the USCGC Glacier, which was one of the largest, most powerful icebreakers in the world at the time; and

WHEREAS, during his last posting as commander of Coast Guard Activities Europe, Captain West represented the nation as the attaché to the Court of St. James in London and served on the staff of the United States ambassador; and

WHEREAS, after his well-earned retirement, Captain West remained active in the community, offering his time and wise leadership to a local nursing home and Boy Scouts of America troop; he supported the local chapter of the American Diabetes Association and worked to honor the service and sacrifices of his fellow veterans; and

WHEREAS, Captain West also worked to enhance the quality of life of his fellow residents as a member of the Accomack County Board of Supervisors, and he remained a dedicated and supportive alumnus of the United States Merchant Marine Academy; and

WHEREAS, Captain West will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his wife, Ann; daughter, Julie, and her family; and numerous other family members, friends, and fellow service members; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of Captain William E. West, Jr., USCG (Ret.); and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Captain William E. West, Jr., USCG (Ret.) as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.