Phillip Isaac Neel

West Point, 2005

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by LTC Kevin R. Dunlop, Cdr, 3-8 CAV, USMA 87 on April 23, 2007:

Though he arrived to the battalion in the middle of the summer before deployment, I got to see a lot of him because his company was posted to the same FOB I will always remember Phil because of the concern he had for his Soldiers. This concern wasn't public, but quietly genuine, for his Soldiers and no one else. He took his job preparing them and leading them in combat very seriously, all the time, and I could see it. He was quiet, almost never smiled on his own, but if you pulled one from him, it was great. He and his Platoon Sergeant were tight. They were tough on their Soldiers together, but they led a family. The last time I saw him, I was walking through A Co talking to Soldiers before their Air Assault. Phil was checking comms on his squad radio with his NCOs. I put my hand on his shoulder and told him that he looked good in his "combat glasses." That got one of his smiles. We talked about the mission, what his platoon's part was, and I closed with my saying "look out for your dudes." I didn't even need an answer from him. Probably the greatest accolade comes from our Command Sergeant Major with 26 years of service. He told me, "Sir, you know I have no love for lieutenants, but make sure you tell his Dad they did a good job--this was one of the special ones." Kevin Dunlop LTC, AR Commander 3rd Battalion, 8th U.S. Cavalry

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