Phillip A. Jordan
Gunnery Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps

Phillip Andrew Jordan's mother was killed by a drunken driver when he was a toddler growing up in Texas. His father died of heart failure when he was 13. Following a battle with Hodgkin's disease, Phillip joined the Marines when he was 27.

On 23 March 2003, Gunnery Sergeant Phillip Andrew Jordan was serving as Weapons Platoon Sergeant, Company C, First Battalion, Second Marines, Task Force TARAWA, I Marine Expeditionary Force while deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

On that day, during the battle of An Nasiriyah, Iraq, GySgt Jordan directed lethal small arms fire to suppress an enemy equipped with rocket-propelled grenades. After crossing the Saddam Canal, and receiving heavy machine gun and mortar fire, GySgt Jordan directed fire on an enemy mortar position. As the engagement continued, GySgt Jordan adjusted accurate return mortar fire on the enemy while encouraging his Marines in the face of tenacious enemy fire. Despite a withering barrage of enemy fire, GySgt Jordan moved across open terrain to resupply vital mortar ammunition. Upon locating an entrenched enemy machine gun position raking the company's flank, GySgt Jordan dashed across a fire-stricken road and directed devastating machine gun fire that destroyed the enemy's position. While a mortar crew displaced to cover the company flank, GySgt Jordan continuously carried ammunition 80 meters to and from this new position under enemy fire. After making 3 trips under a heavy bombardment of mortar and artillery fire, GySgt Jordan fell mortally wounded. GySgt Jordan’s bold leadership and courageous actions that day earned him, at the cost of his life, the U.S. Marine Corps' third highest award for valor, the Silver Star Medal.

Jordan received a posthumous promotion to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant.

Medals and Awards

Silver Star Medal
Purple Heart
Navy & Marine Corps Commendation Medal
Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Gold Star
Navy & Marine Corps Combat Action Ribbon
Joint Meritorious Unit Award
Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation
Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal
Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal
National Defense Service Medal with Star
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Southwest Asia Service Medal with Bronze Star
Iraq Campaign Medal with Bronze Star
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Armed Forces Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
Sea Service Deployment Ribbon
Marine Corps Drill Instructor Ribbon
NATO Medal (Kosovo)
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia)
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)

Silver Star Medal Citation

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Gunnery Sergeant Phillip A. Jordan, United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as Weapons Platoon Sergeant, Company C, First Battalion, Second Marines, Task Force TARAWA, I Marine Expeditionary Force in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM on 23 March 2003. During the battle of An Nasiriyah, Iraq, gunnery Sergeant Jordan fearlessly directed lethal small arms fire to suppress an enemy equipped with rocket-propelled grenades. After crossing the Saddam Canal, and receiving heavy machine gun and mortar fire, he directed fire on an enemy mortar position. As the engagement continued, he adjusted accurate return mortar fire on the enemy while fearlessly encouraging his Marines in the face of tenacious enemy fire. Despite a withering barrage of enemy fire, Gunnery Sergeant Jordan moved across open terrain to resupply vital mortar ammunition. Upon locating an entrenched enemy machine gun position raking the company's flank, he dashed across a fire-stricken road and directed devastating machine gun fire that destroyed the enemy's position. While a mortar crew displaced to cover the company flank, Gunnery Sergeant Jordan continuously carried ammunition 80 meters to and from this new position under enemy fire. After making three trips under a heavy bombardment of mortar and artillery fire, he fell mortally wounded. By his bold leadership, wise judgment, and complete dedication to duty, Gunnery Sergeant Jordan reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

Burial

Gunnery Sergeant Phillip Andrew Jordan is buried at New Saint Patricks Cemetery in Enfield, Hartford County, CT.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/10516571/phillip-andrew-jordan