U.S. Army Specialist Christopher J. West, of Arlington, died Feb. 4 from wounds suffered on Feb. 3 in Muqdadiyah, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated during combat operations. He was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.
Spc. West graduated from Arlington’s Bowie High School in 2000 and earned a BBA in marketing from Texas A&M University in December 2004.
After graduating from Texas A&M with honors, West joined the Army in January 2007, becoming the fourth generation in his family to serve. A combat medic who arrived in Iraq in late 2007, he was scheduled to return home for rest and relaxation leave later this month.
Spc. West’s survivors include his parents, John and Hattie West of Arlington, and sisters Lauren West ’02 and Cameron West ’04.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
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