Posted by XXXXXX on May 7, 2008:

Philip S. Day, Jr. ’48 No. 16748 6 May 1926 – 6 Dec 2003 Died in Columbus, GA To be interred at West Point Post Cemetery, West Point, NY Philip Stevens Day, Jr., was born in Coral Gables, FL, to Philip Day, Sr. ’17, and Ora Fortner. After his father’s Army retirement for disability, the Day family, including sister Ann, lived in Florida and Connecticut before settling in 1937 in Milwaukee, where Phil attended school, was active in youth activities, and became an Eagle Scout. He spent his last year of high school in Tarrytown, NY. Phil entered the Military Academy on 1 Jul 1944, just after his 18th birthday and high school graduation. Most new cadets had some college or military service, and Phil had to compete with older and more experienced classmates. He successfully met the challenge, adjusted to the military routine and the plebe system, and navigated the academic curriculum with minimal problems. In this regard, let it be noted that Phil’s father returned to active duty in 1942 and was assigned to West Point in 1943, in charge of plebe mathematics, his son’s most challenging subject. As a cadet, Philip enjoyed a full social life and found time to be a member of the cheer leading squad. Although he entered as a member of the three year wartime Class of ’47, Phil and the younger half of his class became designated as the Class of ’48 after the war. Upon being commissioned in the Infantry, Phil proceeded to Ft. Riley for the Ground General School, followed by Infantry Basic at Ft. Benning. 2LT Day then was assigned to the 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Division, and traveled in August 1949 to Japan to join his regiment. For a soldier, armed combat is the ultimate test. 2LT Day successfully met the challenge on 5 Jul 1950 at Osan, Korea, when, as a platoon leader in Task Force Smith, he fought in the first action to oppose the invasion of South Korea by the North Korean army. During the fierce battle at Osan and the year of combat that followed, Phil received a Purple Heart, two Bronze Stars for Valor, and the Combat Infantryman Badge. A fellow officer who served with him during this time described Philip as “a great soldier and true professional who cared for his men and was as courageous and brave in the heat of battle as anyone I have ever known — a true upholder of ‘Duty, Honor, Country.’” The camaraderie continues to exist among members of Task Force Smith and the other soldiers making up the first units committed in the Korean Conflict. When Phil learned, almost 50 years after the fact, that the family of a fellow officer of the 21st Infantry Regiment had never received earned awards and decorations, Phil spent a great amount of time and effort to secure the decorations for this officer (the first Academy graduate killed in the Korean Conflict) and personally arranged and attended a memorable presentation ceremony in the officer’s hometown. Following a year in combat with the 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry, Phil was assigned to Ft. Jackson, SC, where, as a member of the 8th Infantry Division, he trained soldiers for duty in the Korean War. In 1954 he was transferred to the 1st Infantry Division in Germany and then to Headquarters, V Corps. After graduating from CGSC, he spent four years with Yale’s ROTC unit. He then joined the staff of the Military Advisory Assistance Group in Viet Nam in 1962, returning to the states the following year to an assignment with the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations. In 1966 LTC Day became a battalion commander in the 504th Infantry, 82d Airborne Division, serving at Ft. Bragg, NC, and in the Dominican Republic, before serving as chief of plans, XVIII Airborne Corps. After the Army War College, COL Day served a second tour in Viet Nam as chief of plans, Headquarters, and later as the senior advisor to, the 24th Vietnamese Special Tactical Zone. Phil then returned to the Pentagon as chief of procurement in the office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel. In 1971 he was assigned the position of commanding officer, Western Region Recruiting Command, at the Presidio of San Francisco. This was followed by his final assignment as chief of staff for operations, Sixth Army. Philip retired from the Army in 1978. In addition to decorations received in Korea, Philip earned three Legions of Merit, four Air Medals, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, and several Vietnamese awards. Following his military career, Phil joined the office of the mayor of San Francisco as director of emergency services, filling that position during 1979–86 with considerable success. Phil enjoyed a full family life. He was married to Virginia Price during 1949–71, having three children: Deborah, Michael, and Steven. He was married to June Elliot during 1973–83 and acquired a second family: Karen, Chuck, and Bruce. In 1992 Phil wed Kathy Meinzen, widow of classmate Walter Meinzen, and added their children, Karen and Robbie, to his extended family. Philip loved all the children of his marriages. One of his sons describes their relationship: “When I was seven, my Dad welcomed me into his life. What I remember best was his sharp wit and laughter. As the years went by, I soon found that my heart had found someone that inspired a new spirit, helped shape my ideals, and demonstrated a sense of duty-based values consistent with the character of a West Point graduate.” Phil leaves behind a host of friends and admirers. An outstanding soldier of demonstrated ability, he was loyal and generous and lived life to the fullest. He exemplified the type of individual and leader that West Point strives to develop. He was deeply loved by his family and is sorely missed. May it be said, well done; be thou at peace. Family and classmates

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