Sgt Gary Thomas Phillips, Vietnam Veteran, Native of West Jefferson, NC.
Sergeant Gary Thomas Phillips was a casualty of the Vietnam War. As a member of the Army Selective Service and a Draftee, SGT Phillips served our country until December 13th, 1969 in Long An, South Vietnam. He was 21 years old and was not married. It was reported that Gary died from artillery fire. His body was recovered. Gary was born on February 24th, 1948 in West Jefferson, North Carolina. SGT Phillips is on panel 15W, line 054 of the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington D.C. He served our country for less than a year.
IT'S ON STATE HIGHWAY 194 AND MAKES THE TRIANGLE OF 88 221 194. NEAR BEAVER CREEK AND JEFFERSON. TO MOST THIS IS A RURAL PART OF NORTH CAROLINA. TO GARY THOMAS PHILLIPS, 11B20, WEST JEFFERSON WAS HOME. ON DEC. 13, 1969 GARY THOMAS PHILLIPS LOST HIS LIFE IN VIETNAM. A PRAYER FOR GARY THOMAS, AND THOSE WHO IN THIS COMMUNITY OF WEST JEFFERSON WILL REMEMBER HIM TODAY ON THIS ANNIVERSARY. TO ALL WHO SHARE THE SILENT WATCH WITH GARY ON PANEL 15W REST. LIKE GARY YOU ALSO ARE THE ONE'S WHO WERE CALLED AND STOOD AS NO OTHERS; BY CHOICE OR NOT, SO WE REMEMBER ALWAYS, TILL WE ARE NO LONGER.
PARENTS OF SOLDIERS OF AREA GIVEN AWARDS FOR VICTIMS OF VIETNAM WAR: Watauga Democrat, Thursday, June 4, 1970
Posthumous awards were presented last week to the parents of two area men who were killed while serving in the Republic of Vietnam. The ceremonies were conducted by LTC John G. Collins, professor of military science at Appalachian State University.
Sgt Gary Thomas Phillips, who was serving in the 31st Infantry, 3rd Brigade, 9th Infantry Division at the time of his death last December 13th. He was posthumously awared the Bronze Star for Valor by the Department of the Army.
The Award reads, in part; " On 13 December 1969 during a night ambush patrol, his squad came in contact with a small enemy force. Specialist Phillips, seeing that one of his comrades was seriously wounded, immediately moved out to aid his fallen comrade. Before he was able to reach the wounded man, he was mortally wounded by fragments from an enemy rocket attack. Specialist Four Phillip' actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army."
GARY T PHILLIPS KILLED IN ACTION IN VIETNAM AREA: Was Outstanding Student; Body Will Be Returned Here For Burial.
SP4 Gary Thomas Phillips 21, was killed in action by shrapnel, in Vietnam on December 13 while serving with the U.S.Army. He was the son of Verrum and Mabel Bare Phillips, Rt. 2, West Jefferson, the Idlewild community. He was a 1966 graduate of Beaver Creek High School, where he served as president of the student body and was a star football player. He was voted the most dependable by the class in the senior superlative election and was a member of the student council. He attended Forsyth Technical Institute before entering military service.
Surviving are his patents: a sister. Mrs. Pansy Miller of Deep Gap: three brothers, Max of Winston-Salem and Gregory and Harold of the home. Funeral Services will be held Wednesday at 11:00PM at the Old Fields Baptist Church with the Reverend Elwaad Gooden and Elder Dewey Roten, officiating. Burial will follow in the Church Cemetery with full military honors. Gary was awarded the Bronze Star Medal in November for an act of Bravery above and beyond the call of duty.
He was the Son of Mr and Mrs Vernon & Mabel Bare Phillips, Route #2, Box 126, West Jefferson, NC.
He served with Bravo Company, 6th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, "Bearcats", 9th Infantry Division, "Old Reliables", USARV.
He was awarded The Combat Medic's Badge, The Bronze Star Medal for Valor, The Purple Heart Medal for his combat related wounds, The Army Achievement Medal, The Army Commendation Medal, The Vietnam Service Medal, The Republic of Vietnam Campaign Service Medal, The National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal.
Burial: Old Fields Church Cemetery, Ashe County, North Carolina.
(source: Reece, Jim & Reece Thomas;NC Vietnam KIA/MIA's gravesites)
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