World War II Honoree

Warren H. Phillips

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Canton, Illinois

Honored By

Joyce E. & Robert J. Molinari

Relationship

Sister & Brother-in-Law

JOINED IN SEPTEMBER 1942. WAS A CHIEF PETTY OFFICER AND SERVED ON THE PC-1123, A MINE SWEEPER. WAS SENT TO BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA AND WORKED IN A SHIPYARD, REPAIRED DAMAGED SHIPS. CAME BACK TO THE U.S. IN JANUARY 1945 AND WORKED IN THE QUINCY, MASSACHUSETTS SHIPYARDS. WHILE THERE, WENT TO DEEP SEA DIVING SCHOOL TO WELD UNDERWATER, AT THE BROOKLYN NAVY YARD. WORKED ON THE USS COLUMBUS AND WENT ON ITS SHAKEDOWN CRUISE TO CUBA. WAS ON IT GOING THROUGH THE PANAMA CANAL WHEN HE WAS DISCHARGED AND SENT HOME, ARRIVED ON DECEMBER 26, 1945. FOUND OUT LATER THAT HE AND HIS BROTHER, THOMAS A. PHILLIPS, IN THE MARINE CORPS, WERE BOTH AT THE LANDING ON NEW BRITAIN, ABOUT 3 MILES APART, BUT DIDN'T KNOW IT UNTIL THEY BOTH GOT HOME.