Morris Milton West
Corporal Morris M. West served with the Marine detachment aboard USS Wasp.
He was reported missing in action when his ship went down in the Coral Sea on 15 September 1942.
Branch
Marine Corps Regular
Service Number 276033
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
Based on circumstances of loss, this individual is considered permanently non-recoverable.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
August 19, 1917
at Centreville, AL
Parents
Joshua Carl “JC” West (d. 1941)
Mary Amerson (Moberly) West
Education
Details unknown
Occupation
Details unknown
Service Life
Entered Service
October 20, 1939
at Savannah, GA
Home Of Record
Calera, AL
Next Of Kin
Mother, Mrs. Mary West
Specialty
Marine Detachment
Primary Unit
USS Wasp
Campaigns Served
Atlantic / Malta Convoys
Solomon Islands
Individual Decorations
Purple Heart
Additional Service Details
—
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
Morris West joined the Marine detachment of the USS Wasp (CV-7) in early 1941. He participated in neutrality patrols across the Atlantic ocean and convoy runs to Malta before his ship was sent to reinforce the Pacific navy in the Solomon Islands.
At 1444 hours on 15 September 1942, Wasp was recovering a combat air patrol and preparing to launch a combined fighter-bomber force. Crews busily armed and fueled the planes, while the deck gang spotted the strike force for takeoff. It was an extremely hazardous time aboard a carrier – and unfortunately the Wasp’s luck ran out. The Japanese submarine I-9 launched a spread of torpedoes at the Wasp and scored three hits near the gasoline tanks and magazine.
The stricken carrier lurched, flinging planes into the air. Fires broke out on multiple decks as gasoline and munitions went up in flames. Water mains broke and hampered firefighting efforts. After thirty minutes of struggle, Captain Forrest Sherman ordered his crew to abandon ship. Wasp was scuttled by friendly torpedoes, and sank at 2100 hours.
Corporal West was not seen after the torpedoes struck the Wasp; he was reported as missing in action after the sinking, and officially declared dead on 16 September 1943. Fellow Wasp Marine PFC James E. Ellis recalled what he knew of West’s final moments:
The Corporal of the Guard – his name was Morris West – was down at the brig and had just relieved a guy that was on watch down there, his name was William Ellison. Ellison got to go topside for a smoke. While he was up there smoking, the torpedo hit and killed Corporal West and the guy that was in the brig too. Another good friend of mine got killed too, but we only lost five Marines out of eighty.
Burial Information or Disposition
None; remains lost at sea.
Memorials
Next Of Kin Address
Address of mother, Mrs. Mary West
Location Of Loss
Approximate last known position of USS Wasp.
The wreck location has not been released.
