World War II Honoree

John Vincent Phillips

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Cassville, Missouri

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Sergeant. Inducted into the United States Army March 20, 1940 from California. Following infantry training, he was deployed to the Philippine Islands, and based at Camp John Hay Location: Baguio City, Luzon Island. He served as a member of Headquarters Company, 31st Infantry Regiment attached to the Philippine Army Division. His unit participated in the Battle of the Philippines, the conquest of the Philippine Islands by the Imperial Japanese Army and Naval Forces (Battle Dates: December 8, 1941-May 6, 1942). Soldiers of the Thirty-First in the Battle of Bataan covered the withdrawal of American and Philippine forces to the Bataan Peninsula. While retreating to the Peninsula, he was captured on 9 April during the ensuing Bataan Battle. As a prisoner, his captors subjected him to participate in the Bataan Death March, detained at the Prisoner of War Camp #1 Cabanatuan, Luzon Island. Reported missing in action or buried at sea Monday, July 27, 1942. In remembrance of the brave, his name is permanently inscribed in the tablets of the missing, memorialized at Manila American Cemetery and Memorial Location: Fort Bonifacio, Manila, Philippine Islands. This American Patriot was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously, for his ultimate sacrifice in defense of his country.