World War II Honoree

Gordon Leigh Phillips

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Geary, Oklahoma

Honored By

OAMC, ROTC Class of 1943

SERVED IN THE ARMY RESERVE OFFICER TRAINING CORPS AT OKLAHOMA A&M COLLEGE AT STILLWATER, OKLAHOMA FROM SEPTEMBER, 1940 TO APRIL 5, 1943. SIMULTANEOUSLY SERVED AS A PRIVATE IN THE ENLISTED RESERVE CORPS WITH THE 1875TH SERVICE UNIT FROM JULY 1942 TO APRIL 5, 1943. INDUCTED AND CALLED TO ACTIVE DUTY ON APRIL 6, 1943. REPORTED TO THE RECEPTION CENTER, FORT SILL, AT LAWTON, OKLAHOMA ON APRIL 12, 1943. ASSIGNED TO OFFICER CANDIDATE SCHOOL AT FORT BENNING, AT COLUMBUS, GEORGIA DURING THE PERIOD JUNE 24 TO SEPTEMBER 18, 1943. HONORABLY DISCHARGED ON SEPTEMBER 17, 1943 WITH THE RANK OF CORPORAL TO ACCEPT AN APPOINTMENT AS AN OFFICER. GRADUATED AND COMMISSIONED A SECOND LIEUTENANT IN THE INFANTRY ON SEPTEMBER 18, 1943. STAGED AT CAMP SHANKS, AT ORANGEBURG, NEW YORK ON MARCH 30, 1944 UNTIL SAILING OVERSEAS FROM NEW YORK PORT OF EMBARKATION ON APRIL 6, 1944. ARRIVED IN ENGLAND ON APRIL 19, 1944. SERVED IN THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN THEATER WITH COMPANY A, 1ST BATTALION, 330TH INFANTRY REGIMENT, 83RD INFANTRY 'THUNDERBOLT' DIVISION. LANDED ACROSS OMAHA BEACH IN NORMANDY, FRANCE ON JUNE 19, 1944. KILLED IN ACTION ON JULY 9, 1944 NEAR SAINT LO, FRANCE DURING AN ATTACK TOWARD PERIERS AND SAINT ENY. PARTICIPATED IN THE NORMANDY CAMPAIGN. AWARDED THE COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, BRONZE STAR MEDAL, PURPLE HEART, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH BRONZE SERVICE STAR, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL.