George Phillips
| George Phillips | |
|---|---|
| Born | July 14, 1926 Rich Hill, Missouri |
| Died | March 14, 1945 Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands |
| Status | KIA |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch | United States Marine Corps Reserve |
| Years of service | 1944–1945 |
| Rank | Private |
| Service number | |
| Unit | 2nd Battalion, 28th Marines, 5th Marine Division |
| Commands held | |
| Battles / wars | Battle of Iwo Jima |
| Awards | Medal of Honor, Purple Heart |
| Relations | |
| Later work | |
George Phillips (July 14, 1926 – March 14, 1945) was a United States Marine who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, the United States' highest decoration for valor, for his actions during the Battle of Iwo Jima.
Born in Rich Hill, Missouri, Phillips worked on the railroad before enlisting in the Marine Corps Reserve at age 17 in April 1944. He served with the 2nd Battalion, 28th Marines, 5th Marine Division.
Medal of Honor
[edit]On the night of March 14, 1945, Phillips was standing the foxhole watch while his squad rested when a Japanese soldier tossed a hand grenade into their midst. He shouted a warning and threw himself on the grenade, absorbing the blast with his body and saving his comrades at the cost of his own life. He was 18 years old, and his remains were reinterred in Bethel Cemetery, Labadie, Missouri, in 1948.
Citation
[edit]For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with Second Battalion, Twenty-eight Marines, Fifth Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces during the seizure of Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands, on 14 March 1945. Standing the fox-hole watch while other members of his squad rested after a night of bitter hand grenade fighting against infiltrating Japanese troops, Private Phillips was the only member of his unit alerted when an enemy hand grenade was tossed into their midst. Instantly shouting a warning, he unhesitatingly threw himself on the deadly missile, absorbing the shattering violence of the exploding charge in his own body and protecting his comrades from serious injury. Stouthearted and indomitable, Private Phillips willingly yielded his own life that his fellow Marines might carry on the relentless battle against a fanatic enemy and his superb valor and unfaltering spirit of self-sacrifice in the face of certain death reflect the highest credit upon himself and upon the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.