PHILIP P. COTTRELL, 2LT, USMCR

Philip Cottrell '45

Date of birth: April 16, 1920

Date of death: August 4, 1943

Age: 23

Naval Academy Register

Philip Patrick Cottrell was admitted to the Naval Academy from South Dakota on July 5, 1941 at age 21 years 3 months. He resigned on April 7, 1942 with the note: "Deficient in studies. Recommended to be dropped. Permitted to resign."

Lucky Bag

Philip Patrick Cottrell is listed among those classmates who did not graduate in June 1944 with the Class of 1945.

Midshipman 4/c Cottrell in the 1943 Lucky Bag.

Loss

Philip was lost on August 4, 1943 when his aircraft crashed near Mohave, California while on a training mission.

Other Information

From Find A Grave:

Philip Cottrell was born on April 16, 1920, to Abigail and John Cottrell of Trail City, Dewey Country, South Dakota. Philip was enrolled at Black Hills Teachers College for a time and was subsequently appointed to Annapolis by Rep. Francis Case in 1941. Cottrell attended Annapolis for a time and then transferred to the Marine Corps aviation branch; he had earned his wings and commission in May of 1943 at Corpus Christi, Texas. Additionally, Philip was at one time the South Dakota Golden Gloves boxing champion.
Lt. Cottrell was killed during a training accident while piloting a tow plane near Mohave, California, the local newspaper wrote.
According to Lieut. James Seay, [his roommate], no one saw the tragic accident, hence details concerning it are not clear. The squadron had gone up about 2:30 p.m. to get in a couple hours of target practice. Phil was piloting the tow plane. When he attempted to let out the long target sleeve, it became entangled and wouldn't unfold. Having no target to shoot at, the squadron decided to go back to the base. Phil was to pull in the "sleeve" and follow them in. Apparently, the target was blown up against the side of the engine as Phil was hauling it toward the cockpit, and it became ignited. His plane afire, Lt. Cottrell had no choice but to jump. It is believed the fuselage of the plane struck him on the head as he leaped. He never pulled the ripcord.
After ten hours of searching, Lt. Cottrell's body was found "on the side of a mountain, several miles from his shattered plane." His remains were returned to South Dakota, accompanied by Lt. Seay, and he was buried with military honors at the Greenwood cemetery. Philip Cottrell gave his life to bring an end to WW II, and was noted as being well-liked and highly respected.
At the time of his death he was survived by his parents and a half sister Mattie.

From researcher Kathy Franz:

In March 1939, Philip won the husky middleweight’s first preliminary tournament of State college boxers.
In 1940, he was a sophomore at Black Hills Teachers college. He was nominated to the Naval Academy by Congressman Francis Case.
He graduated May 29, 1943 from naval air training at Corpus Christi and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the marine corps reserve.

Philip was a graduate of Trail City high school in 1938 with "high scholastic and athletic honors." He attended Northwestern Military Academy in Minneapolis for one year and in 1940 was a sophomore at Black Hills Teacher college.