Charles Davis Phillips

West Point, 1951

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Jose Andres "Andy" Chaonc on November 23, 2003:

Charles Davis Phillips Born October 5, 1928 ? Died November 23, 2000 Charles Davis "Dave" Phillips was born in Kansas on 5 October 1928 to James H. Phillips, Sr. (USMA '19) and Mrs. Phillips. Dave was appointed to West Point from Junction City, Kansas on a Senatorial appointment. An Army brat, the son of a grad, and half of the only brother set in our class, Dave was well prepared to meet the demands of West Point. A year at Sully's Prep School put the finishing touches on his "armor." Dave served on the General Committee as a Cadet, on the Wrestling Team, and was A-2's First Sergeant. On graduation, Dave went in the Armor Corps, reported to, and served with the 4th Tank Battalion, 1st Armored Division during most of 1951. The Heavy Tank Company 6th Infantry in Berlin followed in 1952 where Dave served until 1953. Assignment to the 57th Tank Battalion, 2nd Armored Division was from 1953 to 1955 and then to the Weapons Department, at the Artillery School from 1955 to 1958. At this point in his career, Dave took time out to take a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering degree at the University of Southern California, which he completed in 1960. His next assignment was to Headquarters, the Continental Army Command from 1960 to 1963 and then to the combat area with the Military Assistance Advisory Group, Republic of Vietnam in 1963 for which he was decorated with the Combat Infantryman Badge. On return from Vietnam Dave went to the 6th Army 2nd Armored Division from 1964 to 1965 during which he earned the Commendation Medal for distinguished service. Then followed the Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas for the Field Officers Course in 1966. Dave's next assignment to the Office Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Department of the Army from 1966 to 1969. Dave earned the Meritorious Service Medal for conspicuously meritorious performance of duty in a non-combat situation during this tour. He was named Battalion Commander of the 5322nd Armor 24th Division as well as G4 (Supply) of the 1st Division from 1969 to 1970 for which he got a second Meritorious Service Medal. Dave returned to Nam in the Office the Inspector General Military Assistance Command Vietnam in 1971. This time Dave was decorated with the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and the Joint Service Commendation Medal. He then returned to the Command and General Staff College in 1973, this time on the Staff & Faulty where he served until 1975. Then followed an assignment as Professor of Military Science at Eastern Kentucky University from 1975 to 1978, although he sandwiched the resident course at the Army War College in 1976. Dave's last duty assignment was to Headquarters, Tank Automotive Material Readiness Command from 1978 to 1981. On this his last assignment he received a second Legion of Merit. Dave retired in 1981 as a full Colonel. He and his wife Margaret made their home in Alexandria, Virginia. Dave died on November 23, 2000 Cullum 6355 is James H. Phillips Class of 1919 father of Charles D. and 18174 is James H. Phillips, Jr., a brother, in our class. (Dave was the writer's beast barracks roommate and the first classmate he met at West Point.) jac; 18088, wc 493

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