Lee H. Phillips

Lee Hugh Phillips
Lee Hugh Phillips
	1st Marine Division
Battles/wars	Korean War Second Battle of Seoul; Battle of Chosin Reservoir †;
Awards	Medal of Honor; Purple Heart

Lee Hugh Phillips (February 3, 1930 – November 27, 1950) was a

1st Marine Division, in the push toward the Chosin Reservoir. The 20-year-old squad leader was the 40th Marine to be awarded the Medal of Honor for actions during the Korean War

.

Although he survived that action, he was killed at Yudam-ni on November 27, 1950, during a later phase of the hard-fought Chosin Reservoir campaign. The medal was presented to his mother on March 29, 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

.

Biography

Lee Hugh Phillips was born on February 3, 1930, in

Marine Corps Reserve on January 17, 1948, and after six months of inactive duty, joined the regular Marine Corps

on July 19, 1948.

Completing his

1st Marine Division for service in Korea. He sailed from San Diego, California, with that unit in September 1950, and had fought with Company E in the capture of Seoul before he was killed in action

.

A cenotaph the Marietta National Cemetery in Marietta, Georgia was erected in his honor.^[1]

Awards and decorations

Corporal Phillips was also awarded a posthumous Purple Heart Medal for his fatal wounds. His other medals and decorations included the Presidential Unit Citation with two bronze stars; the Navy Occupation Service Medal with Europe clasp; the National Defense Service Medal; and the Korean Service Medal with two bronze stars.

Medal of Honor	Purple Heart	Presidential Unit Citation with two bronze stars
Navy Occupation Service Medal with Europe Clasp	National Defense Service Medal	Korean Service Medal with two bronze stars

Medal of Honor citation

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
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