World War II Honoree

Robert Ralph Phillips

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Wyaconda, Missouri

Honored By

Donna M. Phillips

Relationship

Wife

ENLISTED IN ARMY, JEFFERSON CITY, MISSOURI IN 1941. AFTER 3 DAYS IN ARMY, ENLISTED IN ARMY AIR FORCES AND WAS SENT TO CHANUTE FIELD, CAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS AND BECAME AN AIRPLANE MECHANIC AND CREW CHIEF. HE WAS TRAINED ON B-17, B-24, B-25, B-29, A-20, P-40, P-38, P-47 AND P-51 AIRCRAFT. FROM CHANUTE FIELD, HE WENT TO COLUMBUS, SOUTH CAROLINA AND THEN TO LONDON, ENGLAND FOR 2 YEARS. HE WAS SENT BACK TO HERRINGTON, KANSAS IN 1944 AND RECEIVED HIS HONORABLE DISCHARGE IN OCTOBER 1945 AS A STAFF SERGEANT. HE SERVED 4 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AND 21 DAYS.