Private
United States Marine Corps Reserve
George Phillips
PRIVATE GEORGE PHILLIPS
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS RESERVE
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the
risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with Second
Battalion, Twenty-eight Marines, Fifth Marine Division, in action against
enemy Japanese forces during the seizure of Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands,
on 14 March 1945. Standing the fox-hole watch while other members of his
squad rested after a night of bitter hand grenade fighting against infiltrating
Japanese troops, Private Phillips was the only member of his unit alerted
when an enemy hand grenade 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, Private
Phillips willingly yielded his own life that his fellow Marines might carry
on the relentless battle against a fanatic enemy and his superb valor and
unfaltering spirit of self-sacrifice in
the face of certain death reflect the highest credit
upon himself and upon the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave
his life for his country.
HARRY S. TRUMAN
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