Korean War Medal of Honor Recipient. He received the award posthumously (presented to his mother) from Secretary of the Navy Robert P. Anderson at the Pentagon on on March 29, 1954, for his actions as a corporal with Company E, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, on November 4, 1950, at the Chosin Reservoir, North Korea. He enlisted in the US Marine Corps Reserve in January 1948, and after six months later he joined the active Marine Corps. Following his recruit training, he spent the a year on maneuvers in the Caribbean and Mediterranean Seas. After the outbreak of the Korean War in June 1950, and the following September he was sent to Korea in September and first saw action at the Battle of Seoul. Two months later, he was killed in action during the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir for which he was awarded the Medal of Honor. He was also awarded a Purple Heart and the Korean Service Medal (with two stars). His Medal of Honor citation reads: "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a squad leader of Company E, in action against enemy aggressor forces. Assuming the point position in the attack against a strongly defended and well-entrenched numerically superior enemy force occupying a vital hill position which had been unsuccessfully assaulted on five separate occasions by units of the Marine Corps and other friendly forces, Cpl. Phillips fearlessly led his men in a bayonet charge up the precipitous slope under a deadly hail of hostile mortar, small-arms, and machine-gun fire. Quickly rallying his squad when it was pinned down by heavy and accurate mortar barrage, he continued to lead his men through the bombarded area and, although only five members were left in the casualty-ridden unit, gained the military crest of the hill where he was immediately subjected to an enemy counterattack. Although greatly outnumbered by an estimated enemy squad, Cpl. Phillips boldly engaged the hostile force with hand grenades and rifle fire and, exhorting his gallant group of marines to follow him, stormed forward to completely overwhelm the enemy. With only three men now left in his squad, he proceeded to spearhead an assault on the last remaining strongpoint which was defended by four of the enemy on a rocky and almost inaccessible portion of the hill position. Using one hand to climb up the extremely hazardous precipice, he hurled grenades with the other and, with two remaining comrades, succeeded in annihilating the pocket of resistance and in consolidating the position. Immediately subjected to a sharp counterattack by an estimated enemy squad, he skillfully directed the fire of his men and employed his own weapon with deadly effectiveness to repulse the numerically superior hostile force. By his valiant leadership, indomitable fighting spirit, and resolute determination in the face of heavy odds, Cpl. Phillips served to inspire all who observed him and was directly responsible for the destruction of the enemy stronghold. His great personal valor reflects the highest credit upon himself and enhances and sustains the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service."