WILLIAM R. PHILLIPS, 2LT, USMC
William Phillips '51
Lucky Bag
From the 1951 Lucky Bag:
William Richardson Phillips
Newport News, Virginia
A true gentleman of the old South typical of its easygoing way of life . . . "Flip" came to the Academy from Newport News, Va. via the Marine Corps . . . intensely loyal, makes friends easily . . . a quick tempter offset by a keen sense of justice . . . a man of voluminous correspondence, has complained about everything except dragging . . . is always well-stocked with cigarettes . . . claim to fame . . . passed a dago exam youngster year . . . a true radiator squad man, he earned his "N" star in extra duty . . . considers academics a black evil between leave periods . . . riding life's bumps with his earnest attitude, Flip will be a great success in the service.
William Richardson Phillips
Newport News, Virginia
A true gentleman of the old South typical of its easygoing way of life . . . "Flip" came to the Academy from Newport News, Va. via the Marine Corps . . . intensely loyal, makes friends easily . . . a quick tempter offset by a keen sense of justice . . . a man of voluminous correspondence, has complained about everything except dragging . . . is always well-stocked with cigarettes . . . claim to fame . . . passed a dago exam youngster year . . . a true radiator squad man, he earned his "N" star in extra duty . . . considers academics a black evil between leave periods . . . riding life's bumps with his earnest attitude, Flip will be a great success in the service.
Loss
William was killed in action in Korea on October 30, 1952 while he was inspecting his observation bunker. He was struck by fragments from an enemy mortar round. He was a member of "Flash and Sound" -- the Sound Ranging Section, Headquarters and Services Battery, 11th Marines.
Other Information
From researcher Kathy Franz:
William graduated in 1946 from Newport News High School. Stage Crew; Student Council; 4L Usher Committee; Dance Committee; Cafeteria Committee; Beacon Reporter; Home Room Officer; Chemistry Club; Home Room 210.
He graduated from the Marine Base School, Quantico, on December 15, 1951.
From Daily Press, Newport News, May 27, 1951:
[William] served in the U.S. Marine Corps from August, 1946, to July, 1947, as a private first class.
He was appointed to the Naval Academy by the late Representative S. Otis Bland and admitted to USNA July 12, 1947.
His athletic record includes intramural track, steeplechase, cross-country and softball. He is a member of the staff of the midshipmen’s publication, the “trident.”
Phillips’ brigade rank at the academy is a midshipman ensign of the first group, midshipman second petty officer of the second group and midshipman second petty officer of the third group.
As a graduate midshipmen he would be slated for commission as a second lieutenant in the U. S. Marine Corps for assignment to Marine Basic School, Quantico.
From Together We Served:
2nd Lt. William Phillips served at the end of WWII as an enlisted Marine. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1951.
In Korea, he served with the Sound Ranging Section, Hq. Battery, 11th Marines.
He was killed by shrapnel at OP-3, The Hook, Western Outposts, Korea.
William had arrived in Korea in early February. He was survived by his parents, two sisters, a brother, paternal grandparents, and maternal grandmother. William was killed four days after the action for which he was awarded the Silver Star, below.
Photographs
From the Daily Press on May 27, 1951
Silver Star
From Hall of Valor:
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Second Lieutenant William Richardson Phillips (MCSN: 0-51958), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Officer in Charge of the Sound Ranging Section of the Eleventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 26 October 1952. Learning that both the observation and living bunkers on his outpost had been destroyed by hostile forces, Second Lieutenant Phillips immediately organized and led a search unit to the position to locate and reorganize his personnel. When his party was subjected to intense enemy artillery and mortar barrages and forced to seek cover on a bunker upon arrival in the devastated sector, he bravely made his way into the fire-swept terrain on four separate occasions and, in the face of persistent fire, methodically searched the area in an effort to locate his men or gain information as to their whereabouts, returning to the emplacement only for periodic checks with others who were assisting in the search. Locating one of his men, he led him through the enemy fire to safety, again exposed himself to the heavy barrage to obtain medical assistance for a wounded member of the search party and assisted in carrying the stricken man to the battalion aid station. By his exceptional courage, inspiring leadership and selfless devotion to the fulfillment of his mission, Second Lieutenant Phillips upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Action Date: October 26, 1952
Service: Marine Corps
Rank: Second Lieutenant
Regiment: 11th Marines
Division: 1st Marine Division (Rein.)
Related Articles
Morris Reisinger '51, Jerome Stuart '51, Earl Valentine, Jr. '51, and James Laramore '51 were also graduates of the "9th Special Basic Class" who trained at Quantico from July to December 1951.
The "category" links below lead to lists of related Honorees; use them to explore further the service and sacrifice of alumni in Memorial Hall.
