Private George Phillips - Labadie, MO
Posted by: BruceS
N 38° 31.041 W 090° 52.755
15S E 684890 N 4265350
World War II, United State Marine Corps Medal of Honor recipient buried in country cemetery near Labadie, Mo
Waymark Code: WM954
Location: Missouri, United States
Date Posted: 03/18/2006
Views: 21
Rank and organization: Private, U.S. Marine Corps
Reserve.
Born 14 July 1926, Rich Hill, Mo.
Date of Death: 14 March 1945, Awarded Posthumously
Entered service at: Labadie, Mo.
Citation. For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at
the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the 2d
Battalion, 28th Marines, 5th Marine Division, in action against 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 handgrenade fighting against infiltrating Japanese troops, Pvt.
Phillips was the only member of his unit alerted when an enemy handgrenade 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, Pvt. 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 upon the U.S.
Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.