World War II Honoree

Leon Wesley Phillips

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Harrisburg, Arkansas

Honored By

Michael Leon Phillips

Relationship

Son

JOINED THE U.S. ARMY AIR CORPS ON 1/7/44. HE WAS AN AIRPLANE ARMORER ON A B-24 LIBERATOR NAMED 'CHERRIE', SERVED AS THE NOSE GUNNER. BATTLES AND CAMPAIGNS INCLUDED THE NORTHERN APENNINES, PO VALLEY, RHINELAND, CENTRAL EUROPE AND AIR COMBAT BALKANS. HE FLEW 31 COMBAT MISSIONS WITH THE 15TH AIR FORCE OUT OF ITALY. DECORATIONS AND CITATIONS INCLUDE THE AMERICAN THEATER RIBBON, VICTORY MEDAL WWII, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN RIBBON WITH 5 STARS, AIR MEDAL WITH 2 OAK LEAF CLUSTERS AND GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL.