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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.
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Photos
Caption
Webster Phillips prior to joining the military. )
Where:
Unknown
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Unknown
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Narrator’s photo
Caption
Webster Phillips relaxes on Aunt Mae’s porch in Makanda, Illinois in 1940.
Where:
Makanda, Illinois
When:
1940
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Narrator’s photo
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Webster Phillips in Giant City Park before the war.
Where:
Giant City Park
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Unknown
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Narrator’s photo
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Webster, in the center, front relaxes with several friends in happier days before the war.
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Unknown
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Unknown
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Narrator’s photo
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Private Phillips, home on leave before being shipped overseas, stands in front of his 1937 Chevy in.
Where:
Chicago, Illinois
When:
Unknown
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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
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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
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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)