Service Remembered. Father & Son Receive Belated Military Decorations

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1 Service Remembered Father & Son Receive Belated Military Decorations The Halifax Historical Museum, in Daytona Beach, hosted a special awards ceremony and reception on Saturday, March 31, During this ceremony Hugh Edgar Phillips, of Daytona Beach, received the Distinguished Flying Cross for his heroic actions in obtaining the aerial reconnaissance photographs use by Allied Forces in planning the invasion and capture of Kwajalein Atoll. Mr. Phillips also received the Combat Action Ribbon in recognition of his combat service during World War II. Mr. Phillips later taught for many years as Chief Instructor at the navy photo schools in Pensacola. He retired from active duty in 1962 as a Chief Photographers Mate (E-7) and was transferred to the Fleet Reserve. Mr. Phillips then worked as a photographer for the Apollo Systems Division of General Electric in Daytona Beach from 1963 to At the same ceremony Mr. Phillips son, Edgar Lee Phillips, of Daytona Beach, received the Naval Reserve Meritorious Service Medal for his exemplary active duty and reserve service during the Vietnam War. He completed his active duty in 1969 and transferred to Active Reserve status in Daytona Beach as a Radioman 2 nd Class (E-5). Mr. Phillips worked for Volusia County Schools as a Media Technician from 1969 until After a leave of absence to go to college, Mr. Phillips returned to Volusia County Schools as a teacher. Mr. Phillips currently teaches as a Media Specialist at Mainland High School and is Mainland s Teacher of the Year. Mr. Phillips also serves on the Board of Directors of the Halifax Historical Society. In addition to being the recipients of belated military decorations, this father and son share many interesting parallels. Hugh and Lee Phillips are both native Floridians, both worked at local radio stations while in high school (Hugh at WMFJ and Lee at WROD), and both graduated from Mainland High School (1941 and 1967 respectively). Both enlisted in the Navy right out of high school, both served as Petty Officers on ships in combat theaters in the Pacific, and both received their Honorable Discharge from the Navy in Further, both returned to Daytona after completing their military service and both have worked as teachers. Lastly, Hugh Phillips made his living as a photographer and enjoys working with electronics and audio-visual equipment as a hobby. Lee Phillips makes his living with computers and audio-visual equipment and enjoys photography as a hobby.

2 Hugh Edgar Phillips The Story Behind the Story During World War II, Hugh Edgar Phillips was an Aviation Photographers Mate attached to an Air Group and Torpedo Squadron serving aboard the USS Intrepid (CV-11) and the USS Enterprise (CV-6). USS Intrepid CV-11 (below) USS Enterprise CV-6 (right) As the senior photo mate attached to Torpedo Squadron VT-6, he was given the responsibility of planning and executing the aerial reconnaissance of Kwajalein Atoll and the surrounding islands. Mr. Phillips (then Photographers Mate 1 st Class) calculated the altitude, speed and angles necessary to obtain accurate and current images of the Japanese fortifications. Due to the size and shape of Kwajalein, three low altitude passes were required. Kwajalein was heavily fortified with anti-aircraft batteries and machine guns. To make even one pass over the island at low and fixed altitude was risky and to make three successful passes was highly improbable. Therefore, it was decided that two identically equipped TBF "Avengers" with air cover from F6F "Hellcats", would make simultaneous runs on the different required vectors in hopes that between the two planes the necessary photos might be obtained. Although they suffered multiple hits from machine guns and anti-aircraft fire both planes miraculously completed all three passes. However, the plan to have two planes proved to be a good one.

3 Lieutenant Walden (left) and Photogapher s Mate 1 st Class Phillips before their mission. Heavily damaged by enemy fire, the other TBF was unable to negotiate a safe landing back aboard the USS Intrepid. On landing, it veered off of the flight deck and crashed into the ocean. The plane, their film, and all but one of the crewmembers were lost. Despite fifteen hits by enemy machine guns and ant-aircraft fire, the pilot of Mr. Phillips plane (LT.jg. James Walden) was able to negotiate a safe landing and return his crew and precious cargo of film back to his ship. Upon landing Photographers Mate Phillips worked throughout that afternoon and all that night to develop his film and print the necessary photographs. The next morning the photos were transferred to the Task Force flagship to be used by the admiralty for planning the upcoming invasion. The invasion and recapture of Kwajalein entailed the use of dozens of ships, hundreds of aircraft and thousands of men from the Army, Navy, and Marines. Many hundreds of men undoubtedly owe their lives to the success of this photographic mission. Mr. Phillips went on to complete twenty-two years of service in the U.S. Navy and retired as a Chief Photographers Mate (E-7). After his military career Mr. Phillips worked for an additional seven years as a Photographer for the Apollo Systems Division of General Electric in Daytona Beach, Florida before final retirement. Distinguished Flying Cross - "is awarded to any person who, while serving in any capacity with the Armed Forces of the United States, distinguishes himself by heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight. The performance of the act of heroism must be evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty. The extraordinary achievement must have resulted in an accomplishment so exceptional and outstanding as to clearly set the individual apart from his comrades or from other persons in similar circumstances."the Distinguished Flying Cross ranks 8 th of 77 in precedence overall and is the 4 th highest award offered by the Navy for valor. Only the Congressional Medal of Honor, the Navy Cross, and the Silver Star rank higher. Combat Action Ribbon - "is awarded to members of the United States Navy or Marine Corps who participate in combat action under direct enemy fire." The Combat Action Ribbon ranks 19 th of 77 in overall precedence and is a "Ribbon Only Award". The Combat Action Ribbon is the Navy equivalent to the Army's Combat Infantryman's Badge. The Decorations & Awards of Hugh Edgar Phillips Hugh Phillips had previously earned the Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon, Navy Good Conduct Medal (5), China Service Medal, American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal (3), World War II Victory Medal, the National Defense Service Medal (2), and the Department of Defense Cold War Service Certificate (not shown).

4 Edgar Lee Phillips The Story Behind the Story During the Vietnam War, Edgar Lee Phillips enlisted and served at the Naval Reserve Training Center, Daytona Beach, Florida for one year prior to going on active duty in After completing Electronics and Radio Schools in San Diego, California, Mr. Phillips served as a Radioman aboard the USS Belle Grove (LSD-2) for one WestPac Tour and two trips to Vietnam. Upon completion of two years of active duty Petty Officer Phillips returned to NRTC Daytona for three additional years of reserve duty as a Radioman 2nd Class (E-5) and completed Petty Officer Leadership School in Charleston, South Carolina. After his military service Mr. Phillips went to work for the Volusia County School System and is currently a Media Specialist at Mainland High School in Daytona Beach. Naval Reserve Meritorious Service Medal - "for outstanding performance and conduct during 4 years of enlisted service in the Naval Reserve." The Naval Reserve Meritorious Service Medal ranks 28 th of 77 in overall precedence and replaced a similar "Ribbon Only Award". The Awards of Edgar Lee Phillips Lee Phillips had previously earned the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal (2), Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation, Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medal Unit Citation, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Department of Defense Cold War Service Certificate (not shown).

5 Service Remembered Ceremony Photos Charles Yonts, Veterans Advocate to Senator Bob Graham Chief Photographer s Mate Hugh E. Phillips (Retired) LCDR Paul Mattola, USNR Representative Cheryl Phillips Atwell, Director Halifax Historical Museum

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7 Service Remembered Father & Son Receive Belated Military Decorations Hosted by: The Halifax Historical Society & Museum 252 S. Beach Street Daytona Beach, FL Written & Edited by Edgar Lee Phillips Photographs by Hugh Edgar Phillips, Edgar Lee Phillips & William Russell Atwell A video of this ceremony is also available