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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060
Online Library of Selected Images:
-- PEOPLE -- UNITED STATES --
Private George Phillips, USMCR, (1926-1945)
George Phillips was born on 14 July 1926 in Rich Hill, Missouri,
and enlisted in the Marine Corps in April 1944. Phillips was assigned
to the Second Battalion, Twenty-eighth Marines, FIFTH Marine Division
during the battle for Iwo Jima. During the night of 14 March 1945,
he was standing watch as other Marines rested when Japanese troops
tossed a hand-grenade among them. Instantly realizing the gravity
of the situation, Private Phillips threw himself on the grenade,
sacrificing his own life to save his comrades from the blast.
For his "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk
of his life above and beyond the call of duty," he was posthumously
awarded Medal of Honor.
George Phillips is buried at Bethel Cemetery, Labadie, Missouri.
This page features the only image we have concerning George
Phillips.
Click on the small photograph to prompt
a larger view of the same image.
Photo #: NH 103873
Private George Phillips, USMCR
Halftone reproduction of a photograph, copied from the official
publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy",
page 241.
George Phillips received the Medal of Honor, posthumously, for
his "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of
his life" on 14 March 1945, during the Battle of Iwo Jima.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 47KB; 590 X 765 pixels |
 |
Medal of Honor citation of Private George Phillips, USMCR
(as printed in the official publication "Medal of Honor,
1861-1949, The Navy", page 241):
"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk
of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with
the Second Battalion, Twenty-eighth Marines, FIFTH Marine Division,
in action against the enemy Japanese forces during the seizure
of Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands, on 14 March 1945. Standing
the foxhole 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. Stout-hearted and indomitable, Private Phillips
willingly yielded his own life that his fellow Marines might
carry on the relentless battle against a fanatic enemy. His superb
valor and unfaltering spirit of self-sacrifice in the face of
certain death reflect the highest credit upon himself and the
United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his
country." |
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Page made 28 June 2006
Text corrected 2 December 2006