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Webster Phillips - World War II

Webster Phillips was drafted in November, 1942, and after basic infantry training at Ft. Benning Georgia, was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 117th Infantry Regiment, part of the 30th Infantry Division. The unit landed at Omaha beach just days after the D-Day invasion, and soon saw action at the St. Lo breakout. Serving with the unit's Intelligence and Reconnaissance section, Phillips earned a Purple Heart and two Bronze Stars during the unit's fight through northern Europe. The division held the crucial northern 'shoulder' during the Battle of the Bulge.

Interview Links

Feature Excerpt

Dying Request

Abstract

Interview (Audio)

Transcript


Photos

Caption
Webster Phillips prior to joining the military.

Where:
Unknown

When:
Unknown

Ownership:
Narrator’s photo

Caption
Webster Phillips relaxes on Aunt Mae’s porch in Makanda, Illinois in 1940.

Where:
Makanda, Illinois

When:
1940

Ownership:
Narrator’s photo

Caption
Webster Phillips in Giant City Park before the war.

Where:
Giant City Park

When:
Unknown

Ownership:
Narrator’s photo

Caption
Webster, in the center, front relaxes with several friends in happier days before the war.

Where:
Unknown

When:
Unknown

Ownership:
Narrator’s photo

Caption
Private Phillips, home on leave before being shipped overseas, stands in front of his 1937 Chevy in.

Where:
Chicago, Illinois

When:
Unknown

Ownership:
Narrator’s photo

Caption
Private Phillips relaxes with a buddy while stationed at Camp Forrest, near Tullahoma, Tennessee, circa 1943.

Where:
Tullahoma, Tennessee

When:
Circa 1943

Ownership:
Narrator’s photo

Caption
Webster (on the left) and his army buddy Hank Hendrickson, take a moment to relax from combat somewhere in Europe.

Where:
Europe

When:
Unknown

Ownership:
Narrator’s photo

Caption
Private Phillips being awarded a Bronze Star for valor from his battalion commander, one of three he earned while fighting his way across northern Europe.

Where:
Unknown

When:
Unknown

Ownership:
Narrator’s photo

Caption
Webster (on the right) and Hank Hendrickson somewhere in Europe, circa 1945.

Where:
Europe

When:
Circa 1945

Ownership:
Narrator’s photo

Caption
The 117th Infantry Regiment pushed into Germany by January, 1945. Phillips stands in a snowy German town.

Where:
Germany

When:
January, 1945

Ownership:
Narrator’s photo

Caption
The 3rd Battalion S-2 (Intelligence Section) personnel gather for a photo in 1945. From left to right are Elmer Bergenero, Webster Phillips, ‘Scotty’ Shiverdecker, unknown, unknown and Hank Hendrickson.

Where:
Unknown

When:
1945

Ownership:
Narrator’s photo

Caption
Captain Culb and others from the 3rd Battalion on the street, somewhere in France.

Where:
France

When:
Unknown

Ownership:
Narrator’s photo

Caption
Newlyweds Sarah and Webster Phillips, in 1946.

Where:
1946

When:
Unknown

Ownership:
May be restricted. Patrons desiring to use this photograph should contact the ALPL Audio-Visual Curator.

Caption
Webster (Bud) Phillips, born in June, 1947 to Webster and Sarah Phillips.

Where:
Unknown

When:
Unknown

Ownership:
Narrator’s photo

Caption
Martha (Phillips) Bedford, born in June of 1948 to Webster and Sarah Phillips.

Where:
Unknown

When:
Unknown

Ownership:
Narrator’s photo

Caption
Webster ripped down this Nazi flag while the unit moved through Germany at the end of the war. He & his comrades signed it.

Where:
Germany

When:
Unknown

Ownership:
Narrator’s photo)



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