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First Name: Lee

Last Name: Phillips

Birthplace: Stockbridge, GA, USA

Gender: Male

Branch: Marines (present)



Home of Record: Atlanta, GA
Middle Name: Hugh



Date of Birth: 03 February 1930

Date of Death: 27 November 1950

Rank: Corporal

Years Served: 1948-1950
Lee Hugh Phillips

   
Engagements:
•  Korean War (1950 - 1953)

Biography:

Lee Hugh Phillips
Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps
Medal of Honor Recipient
Korean War

Lee Hugh Phillips was born on 3 February 1930 in Stockbridge, GA. He attended school in Ellenwood, GA, until 1945, then worked six months painting picture frames for the Georgia Art Supply Company of Atlanta, and more than a year as a stock clerk at the Davison-Paxton department store in that city. He enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve on 17 January 1948, and after six months of inactive duty, joined the regular Marine Corps on 19 July 1948.

Completing his recruit training at Parris Island, SC, in October 1948, he was promoted to Private First Class and assigned to the 8th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, at Camp Lejeune, NC. He remained with the 8th Marines for a year, serving with the regiment on Caribbean maneuvers in February and March 1949 and in the Mediterranean from May to September 1949. He then served with Company E, 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines until August 1950, when the battalion was assigned to the 7th Marines, First Marine Division for service in Korea. He sailed from San Diego, CA, with that unit in September 1950, and fought with Company E in the capture of Seoul.

Corporal Phillips was posthumously awarded the United States' highest military decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his heroism on 4 November 1950, while fighting with Company E, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, First Marine Division, in the push toward the Chosin Reservoir. Although he survived the action for which he earned the Medal of Honor, he was killed 23 days later at Yudam-ni on 27 November 1950, during a later phase of the hard-fought Chosin Reservoir campaign. The 20-year old squad leader was the 40th Marine to be awarded the Medal of Honor for actions during the Korean War.

Medal of Honor

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to

CORPORAL LEE H. PHILLIPS
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

for service as set forth in the following CITATION:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a Squad Leader of Company E, Second Battalion, Seventh Marines, First Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 4 November 1950. Assuming the point position in the attack against a strongly defended and well-entrenched numerically superior enemy force occupying a vital hill position which had been unsuccessfully assaulted on five separate occasions by units of the Marine Corps and other friendly forces, Corporal Phillips fearlessly led his men in a bayonet charge up the precipitous slope under a deadly hail of hostile mortar, small-arms and machine-gun fire. Quickly rallying his squad when it was pinned down by a heavy and accurate mortar barrage, he continued to lead his men through the bombarded area and, although only five members were left in the casualty ridden unit, gained the military crest of the hill where he was immediately subjected to an enemy counterattack. Although greatly outnumbered by an estimated enemy squad, Corporal Phillips boldly engaged the hostile force with hand grenades and rifle fire and, exhorting his gallant group of Marines to follow him, stormed forward to completely overwhelm the enemy. With only three men now left in his squad, he proceeded to spearhead an assault on the last remaining strong point which was defended by four of the enemy on a rocky and almost inaccessible portion of the hill position. Using one hand to climb up the extremely hazardous precipice, he hurled grenades with the other and, with two remaining comrades, succeeded in annihilating the pocket of resistance and in consolidating the position. Immediately subjected to a sharp counterattack by an estimated enemy squad, he skillfully directed the fire of his men and employed his own weapon with deadly effectiveness to repulse the numerically superior hostile force. By his valiant leadership, indomitable fighting spirit and resolute determination in the face of heavy odds, Corporal Phillips served to inspire all who observed him and was directly responsible for the destruction of the enemy stronghold. His great personal valor reflects the highest credit upon himself and enhances and sustains the finest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

/S/ DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER

The Medal of Honor was presented to Corporal Phillips' mother on 29 March 1954 by Secretary of the Navy Robert B. Anderson. The Pentagon ceremony also included presentation of posthumous Medals of Honor to the families of Sergeants James E. Johnson and Daniel P. Matthews.

Other Medals and Awards

In addition to the Medal of Honor, Corporal Phillips was awarded the following:

Purple Heart
Combat Action Ribbon
Navy & Marine Corps Presidential Unit Citation with 2 Bronze Stars
National Defense Service Medal
Korean Service Medal with 2 Bronze Stars
United Nations Service Medal

Death and Burial

Corporal Lee Hugh Phillips was killed in action on 27 November 1950. A cenotaph for Corporal Phillips is located at Marietta National Cemetery in Marietta, GA, Section MB, Grave 8. His remains were never found.



Honoree ID: 1219   Created by: MHOH

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