World War II Honoree

Daryl W. Phillips

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Fresno, California

Honored By

Daryl W. Phillips

B-17 pilot, 8th Air Force. After registering for the draft, he took the Aviation Cadet Exam in September 1942. After basic training in February, he was selected for the Army Aviation Cadet program in May 1943. He earned his pilot wings in February 1944 at Pecos, Texas. After completing B-17 training, he was assigned to 8th Air Force and stationed at Thurleigh, England. He flew 35 combat missions with the 423rd Bomb Squadron (The Grim Reapers) as part of the 306th Bomb Group. On November 30, 1944 he was shot down after his B-17 was crippled by flak. Trouble started over the primary target, Merseberg, The #3 engine was hit by flak and failed as the formation aborted the run and proceeded to the secondary target, Bohlen. That run was also aborted due to heavy flak. Finally during a third run over Leipzig, #2 engine was shot up so bad it would not feather and the aircraft could not hold altitude. The crew as able to put it down with an iced over windshield on a recently abandoned German fighter base. After finding 55 holes in the aircraft, they stopped counting. Fortunately they were Missing in Action for only a short time. American soldiers helped them make their way to an airfield near the Belgium border and they returned to Thurleigh to complete their 35 missions. he entertained U.S. Forces playing various instruments for dances attended as part of the Red Cross band in England. Upon returning from Europe, he served as a transport pilot until his discharge into the reserves in 1946.