Interviewed by:

Molly Drake and Dylan Fox

"You can always do better."

~ Phil Drake (Video #3 00:00:43)

Phil Drake's Story:

Phil Drake grew up in Newark, New Jersey and went to Harvard University. After only three months of college, Phil enlisted in World War Two. He joined the forces the day after the attack on Pearl Harbor, out of patriotism for his country. Originally Phil wanted to join the marines but after he failed the Ishihara Color Blind Test, they wouldn't accept him. Not having enough schooling in his background, Phil was refused by the air force as well. Mr. Drake then decided to become a paratrooper.

Phil was in basic training for 17 weeks before he entered combat. After spending his first few months of service in North Africa, he was sent to Italy. Mr. Drake landed on the beaches of Sicily. In the confusion of battle, it was there that Phil was concussed and shot two times. After being severely injured, Phil was airlifted to Naples. Mr. Drake later recalled this event as his darkest memory of war.

After his tour in Italy, Phil was sent to Okinawa, Japan. He was stationed there for the remainder of his service in World War Two. "Okinawa was a lot different than Italy", Phil quoted. The Japanese were a feirce foe. He fought his most vicious battles in Japan. Phillip recalls one time when his Leuitenant stopped a truck with Japanese civilians in it. His Leuitenant then proceded to rip the glasses off one of the civilian's faces, threw them and stomped them on the ground. Phil said that this incident was one that disturbs him to this day; he believed there was no reason to treat the Japanese so poorly in that situation. He did however have some fun time in Japan. On the Fourth Of July one year, his division challenged another American division to a football game. He said that this was the only time during war that he enjoyed. On August 6th, 1945 the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, Japan. Phil's reaction was great shock. He started crying along with the rest of American soldiers he was with. After the second atomic bomb was dropped, Phil was sent home. Mr. Drake then completed his schooling at Harvard University.

As a comissions officer, Phil was obligated to re-enter the services when he was recalled into the Korean War. Mr. Drake had two tours in Korea. His first started in September, 1950 and his second tour ended in 1953. Phil entered World War Two as and left Korea as a Major. Mr. Drake shared with us that he didn't agree with the Korean War and that he would not have entered it if it were a choice. Korea conculed his military life and Phil returned back home to work and start a family in 1953.