1922 - 1981. Born Ohio, Enlisted Rockford, IL. Son of W. John and Mary Louise Phillips, Sr. Withdrew from studies at MIT to enlist, June, 1942. Primary flight training St. Louis, MO. Basic flight training Oklahoma. Advanced flight training, Foster Field, Victoria, Texas. Assigned to the 10th Fighter Squadron, 50th Fighter Group, AF School of Applied Tactics, based at Zephyr Hills, FL. Shipped overseas April, 1944. Assigned to RAF Lymington on the channel coast. Operational May 1, 1944. Fighter sweeps over France. One of the first US fighter pilots over the landing beaches, 6 June, 1944. 50th FG located to ALG 10/Carentan, FR 25 June, 1944. Steady sorties thru October, 1944. Grounded and sent on R&R after learning he strafed a train with civilians including woman and children. Caught a severe inner ear infection affecting balance, rotated home early November, 1944.

Married Joan Kull June, 1946. Joan Kull's uncle, Lt George Kull, 13th Aero Sq (WW I) KIA 14 Sept 1918 - St. Mihiel. Lt. Kull flew with (then Maj) Carl Spaatz. Three children, W. John Phillips III, Laurie Joan Phillips, Nancy Kimble Phillips. Completed reserve obligation and exited service.

Pursued new television advertising, becoming a VP/Account manager at both J.Walter Thompson/NY-LA and Leo Burnett/Chicago. Resumed flying in 1963, buying a Stearman PT-17 biplane, became active in the California antique airplane association. Never spoke of the war, although later in life displayed his ribbons and photos of his P-47D "Horizontal Helen". Passed away suddenly while on a business trip in 1981.

RIP Dad, and thank you.

Uncle John, your service inspired me to enter the USAF Mar 70. I later learned to fly and made it a career... 20,800 hours including Waco UPF-7 (YPT-14A), T-6, and Norseman (UC-64A) time.

You were a member of what came to be called "The Greatest Generation", were the epitome of a Gentleman and I only wish you hadn't Gone West so young.



Michael