James Roland West was born on 7 September 1920, in Akron, Ohio. His parents are Roland J. & Jane M. (Moneypenney) West of Ithaca, New York. Prior to enlistment James R. West had been employed at Morse Chain Company, Ithaca, New York. He attended Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware, Ohio and was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. He married Dorothea “Pat” (Tway) in Marion, Ohio, on 20 July 1942. Her parents were living in Marion, Ohio.

James R. West enlisted in the Army Air Corps in January of 1942. He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant and received his wings at McAllen Field, Texas on 24 May 1942.

He was stationed at an army airfield in Florida and was then transferred to the army base at Walla Walla Air Base, Washington. Lt. James R. West was assigned to a B-17 “Flying Fortress” #42-3503. He was part of the 88th Bombardment Group, 399th Bomber Squadron. The 88th BG was a unit dedicated to training B-17 crews. On 10 August 1943, while on a routine flight, his ship crashed over Oregon. The bomber went down near Heppner, Oregon. 8 other crew members died in the crash.

Lt. James R. West is buried East Lawn Cemetery, Ithaca, Tompkins County, New York.
James R. West is remembered on the Honor Roll, at the Veterans Memorial Park, in Marion, Ohio; on the west wall of the Marion County Courthouse; and on the World War II Veterans Memorial Wall, at the Marion Cemetery.