William B. Phillips, Jr.
Sergeant, U.S. Army

On 17 November 1944, Sergeant William B. Phillips, Jr. was serving with Company D, 8th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, Third U.S. Army.

On that day, SGT Phillips’ unit was in action against German forces near Schevenhutte, Germany, during the Battle of Hürtgen Forest. Company D was pinned down by intense machine-gun fire from an enemy pillbox strategically located on top of a steep hill and, seeing this, SGT Phillips obtained a rocket launcher and went forward alone to destroy the position. Making his way up the hill of fire, SGT Phillips reached a point within 25 yards of the German emplacement and fired a round of rocket ammunition into the doorway, killing 5 occupants. SGT Phillips' daring action so demoralized the defenders of an adjacent pillbox that they abandoned their position to surrender. But as SGT Phillips went forward, he stepped on an anti-personnel mine that blew off his foot. Despite his great pain, SGT Phillips' first thought was protecting his comrades. So, fearful that the entire area was mined, SGT Phillips would not allow them to come to his assistance until he had crawled to a safe position some 30 yards distant. SGT Phillips’ selfless, courageous actions and extraordinary heroism that day earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Purple Heart
Army Good Conduct Medal
American Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with Arrowhead Pin and 3 Bronze Stars
World War II Victory Medal
Combat Infantryman Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Sergeant William B. Phillips, Jr. (ASN: 38342428), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company D, 8th Infantry Regiment, in action against enemy forces on 17 November 1944, near Schevenhutte, Germany Sergeant Phillips' company was pinned down by intense machine-gun fire from an enemy pillbox, strategically located on top of a steep hill. Sergeant Phillips, upon observing this, obtained a rocket launcher and fearlessly went forward alone to reduce the position. Making his way up the hill of fire, Sergeant Phillips reached a point within 25 yards of the enemy emplacement and fired a round of rocket ammunition into the doorway, killing five occupants. His daring action so demoralized the defenders of an adjacent pillbox that they abandoned their position to surrender, but as he went forward he stepped on an anti-personnel mine that blew off his foot. Although suffering great pain he thought first of his comrades and for fear that the entire area was mined, did not permit them to come to his assistance until he had crawled to a safe position some 30 yards distant. Sergeant Phillips' heroic, unselfish devotion to duty, his fearless determination and conspicuous courage exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 4th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.

Headquarters, Third U.S. Army, General Orders No. 74 (April 7, 1945)