Sergeant First Class Tyler Milam Westbrook, 31, assigned to 2nd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Carson, Colorado, passed away August 28, 2015. He was born May 12, 1984 in Marietta, Ohio to Daniel Robert and Marcia Milam Westbrook. Tyler was a 2002 graduate of Williamstown High School, graduating with honors and was a Promise Scholarship recipient. He was a standout in sports at Williamstown. He began wrestling at four years old and continued all through his senior year, accumulating a career record of 116-27. He placed several times in the state, being state champion in the 152 lb. division. While playing football he served as team captain, made All-LKC DB, and set a national record in 2001 with four blocked punts in consecutive games. Tyler was a member of the 2001 and 2002 track teams, competing in pole vault, long jump and relays. He received his Bachelor's Degree in Sports Management from WVU in 2006, graduating Magna Cum Laude. Tyler was an avid WVU fan. He enlisted as a 13B Cannon Crewmember in the U.S. Army in July 2007. Upon completion of his initial training, he was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment at Fort Bragg, NC. Three weeks after reporting for duty he met with his unit at Camp Cedar II just outside of Talil Air Force Base in Iraq. Westbrook completed his combat deployment to Iraq from March 2008 to July 2008. After his assignment with 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, Westbrook volunteered for Special Forces Assessment and Selection. He graduated from the Special Forces Weapons Sergeant course as the Distinguished Honor Graduate. He graduated the Special Forces Qualification Course in 2010. His first assignment as a Green Beret was as a weapons sergeant with Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Carson, Colorado, where he served on a Special Forces Operational Detachment-Alpha (ODA). Westbrook deployed with a 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) to Iraq from December of 2010 to July 2011. Westbrook completed a Joint Combined Exchange Training Event in Malawi, Africa followed by three deployments to Germany in support of the USAFRICOM Crisis Response Force. Westbrook excelled as a sniper with ODA 0231 and as an assaulter with ODA 0236 during his time in Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne). His military education includes the Special Forces Sniper School, Special Operations Command Jump Master Course, Special Forces Advanced Reconnaissance, Target Analysis and Exploitation Techniques Course, Combat Life Saver Course, Warrior Leader Course, Advanced Leader Course, Airborne School, and the Special Forces Qualification Course. His awards and decorations include one Meritorious Service Medal, Four Army Commendation Medals, the Army Achievement Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, two Army Good Conduct Medals, the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terror Service Medal, two Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbons, the Army Service Ribbon, Special Forces Tab, Parachutist Badge, Marksmanship Qualification Badge Expert with Carbine, and the Combat Infantryman's Badge. He is survived by his wife, Heather Tyler Westbrook, and son, Milam Grant Westbrook, of Colorado Springs, Colorado; his parents of Williamstown, WV; brothers, Waylon and his wife, April, and William, paternal grandmother, Norma Westbrook, all of Williamstown. Mother in law, Mary Reed and her husband, Benjamin, and father in law, Ronald Tyler of Clarksville, TN, aunt, Rhonda Neese and husband, Richard, of Albuquerque, NM, nephews and niece, Brenden, Bryant and Bailee Westbrook of Williamstown, cousins, Lindsey and Cole and sister in law, Dana Tyler of Clarksville, TN. Tyler was preceded in death by paternal grandfather, Rolla Westbrook and maternal grandparents, Louie and Elaine Milam, all of Williamstown. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 6, 2015, at Williamstown High School Gymnasium. Chaplain (MAJ) Joe Ward will officiate. Burial will be in Riverview Cemetery, with full military honors. Visitation will be at Cawley & Peoples Funeral Home, 408 Front St., Marietta, Ohio, on Saturday from noon until 8:00 p.m. Donations may be made through the website www.22vets.com
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