World War II Honoree

Wesley Phelps

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Neafus, Kentucky

Honored By

Ralph Bozorth

WAS POSTHUMOUSLY AWARDED THE CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR. PRIVATE, U.S. MARINE CORPS RESERVE. ACCREDITED TO: KENTUCKY. CITATION: FOR CONSPICUOUS GALLANTRY AND INTREPIDITY AT THE RISK OF HIS LIFE ABOVE AND BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY WHILE SERVING WITH THE 3D BATTALION, 7TH MARINES, 1ST MARINE DIVISION, IN ACTION AGAINST ENEMY JAPANESE FORCES ON PELELIU ISLAND, PALAU GROUP, DURING A SAVAGE HOSTILE COUNTERATTACK ON THE NIGHT OF 4 OCTOBER 1944. STATIONED WITH ANOTHER MARINE IN AN ADVANCED POSITION WHEN A JAPANESE HAND GRENADE LANDED IN HIS FOXHOLE PRIVATE 1ST CLASS PHELPS INSTANTLY SHOUTED A WARNING TO HIS COMRADE AND ROLLED OVER ON THE DEADLY BOMB, ABSORBING WITH HIS OWN BODY THE FULL, SHATTERING IMPACT OF THE EXPLODING CHARGE. COURAGEOUS AND INDOMITABLE, PRIVATE 1ST CLASS PHELPS FEARLESSLY GAVE HIS LIFE THAT ANOTHER MIGHT BE SPARED SERIOUS INJURY, AND HIS GREAT VALOR AND HEROIC DEVOTION TO DUTY IN THE FACE OF CERTAIN DEATH REFLECT THE HIGHEST CREDIT UPON HIMSELF AND THE U.S. NAVAL SERVICE. HE GALLANTLY GAVE HIS LIFE FOR HIS COUNTRY.