George T. Phillips was born March 31, 1924 in Oriskany, NY to Albert James Phillips (1884-1968) and Cory May Wilson (1889-1944). His parents were both from New York and were married December 20, 1905 in Oriskany, NY. George was the sixth of their seven children (Hazel, Agnes, Welcome, Florence, Gaynor were older and Adelbert was younger). His dad was a farmer and the family lived on Reid Lane in Oriskany, NY. According to 1940 U.S. Census records, George attended school through the 7th grade and by his 16th birthday was helping dad on the farm. His two older brothers were working at the mills in Oriskany. Before his enlistment George worked at a defense plant in Rome, NY.

Based on his service number (394147) and newspaper accounts, we know that Pfc. Phillips enlisted in the Marine Corps for "war time service." and received his basic training at Parris Island, South Carolina. That same newspaper account of his death reported he was killed in the Gilbert Islands. Given the date of his death and the fact that he was with the Marines means Pfc. Phillips was most likely with the 2nd Marines* during their attack on the Tarawa Atoll which included Betio Island.

The land battle of Betio Island and the Tarawa Atoll, began at 9:10 a.m. on November 20, 1943. It ended 76 hours later on November 23. The conquest of the entire Tarawa atoll was completed at 8:00 a.m. on November 28. In that time 1,090 Americans were killed and another 2,311 wounded. In its issue of December 6, 1943, Time magazine wrote: "Last week some 2,000 or 3,000 United States Marines, most of them now dead or wounded, gave the nation a name to stand beside those of Concord Bridge, the Bon Homme Richard, the Alamo, Little Big Horn and Belleau Wood. The name was Tarawa."

Pfc. George T. Phillips is killed on the second day of the attack, Sunday November 21, 1943 and memorialized with a cenotaph in his hometown cemetery, Oriskany, NY. More details on how Pfc. Phillips is killed may become available when his IDPF is obtained from the National Archives (request is pending).

If you notice anything erroneous in this profile or have additional information to contribute to it, please contact Jim Greenberg at nez13820@gmail.com.