DOB/DOD: August 11, 1916 (Brockton, MA) – February 19, 1945; 28 years old
MARITAL STATUS: Unmarried
LOCAL ADDRESS: 55 Whitney Avenue, New Haven. The house is no longer there.
ENLISTMENT: June 5, 1942, in Springfield, Massachusetts
SERVICE NUMBER: 403613
UNIT: Weapons Company, 25th Marines, 4th Marine Division
MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY: 0345, Truck Driver; and 0610, Antitank Gun Crewman
NOTE: His first name is spelled differently in some places as “Stuart.” The Massachusetts Birth Index has the first name as Stewart. Last name is spelled differently in some places as “Philips.” Phillips with two Ls is the correct spelling; however, his Marine Corps records have just one L.
FAMILY: Born to John E. (1883-1939) and Elizabeth Carmichael Phillips (1890-1932). Elizabeth was born in Belfast, Ireland. Stewart was just 16 years old when his mother passed of pernicious anemia. Oldest of three children. Siblings are Frederick E. (1918-1973) and Joan E. Phillips Davidson (1921-2005). 1 Worked for Stuart John Phillips as a hat maker prior to the service. 3
CIRCUMSTANCES: Boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina, in the Summer of 1942. Assigned to the 32nd Marines (Reinforced) at Camp Lejeune, New River, North Carolina, then the 23rd Marines and 25th Marines (Reinforced), Regimental Weapons Companies through the Battle of Iwo Jima. He was charged with AWOL for being missing from December 30, 1942, through January 4, 1943. 5 Died of multiple shrapnel wounds. Participated in action at Roi-Namur, Marshall Islands, Saipan, Marianas, Tinian, Marianas Islands, and Iwo Jima. Awarded the Purple Heart Medal. 4
Phillips Hat Shop, New Haven, CT; 1938 2
Initially buried in the 4th Marine Division Cemetery on Iwo Jima, Plot 1, Row 8, Grave 390. At his brother Frederick’s request, his remains were repatriated and buried on June 17, 1948, in Arlington National Cemetery, 1 Memorial Drive, Arlington, Virginia; Section 12, Grave 4688. 4Photo by Jeff DeWitt
1 – 1940 census https://www.ancestry.com/cs/1940-census
2 – https://www.ancestry.com/mediaui-viewer/collection/1030/tree/114109355/person/270147073306/media/f0b0f1e2-ac07-4342-af66-8a2d8fb78ba1?_phsrc=NtW1455&usePUBJs=true
3 – https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2238
4 – USMC Casualty Report received via FOIA request
5 – USMC Muster Rolls: https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1089/