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First Sergeant Timothy W. Phillips

Rank/Name: TIMOTHY W. PHILLIPS - FIRST SERGEANT, USMC, RETIRED

Branch: United States Marine Corps

Unit: Alpha Company, First Battalion, Seventh Marine Regiment, First Marine Division Third Fire Team

Service Dates: 2006-2013

First Sergeant Timothy W. Phillips

Timothy W. Phillips was sworn into the United States Marine Corps (USMC) at the Charleston Naval Ship Yard on May 16, 1966 under the Delayed Entry Program. He arrived to boot camp on August 25, 1966 and spent 56 days training at Parris Island, SC. He received orders to Vietnam exactly one day before graduation on October 20, 1966.

On December 26 of the same year, Phillips checked into Staging Battalion at Camp Pendleton, CA for two weeks of pre-deployment training. From there, the Sergeant flew to Okinawa, Japan and on to Vietnam, where he became a member of Alpha Company, First Battalion, Seventh Marine Regiment, First Marine Division. Assigned to the Third Fire Team, Phillips would spend his time in Vietnam walking rear security.

While the majority of Phillips' Company was located on the Song Tra Bong Peninsula near Chu Lai, Vietnam, in April of 1967 the first battalion was sent north to Da Nang to protect Hill 41. Located near the mouth of Happy Valley in what was called the Rocket Belt, Hill 41 was frequented by 122mm Vietcong rocket fire.

On May 12, 1968, Sergeant Phillips was involved in a battle that would forever change his life. Fitzpatrick, a Marine assigned to Phillips' unit, was shot in the thigh by an enemy sniper. Without regard for his own well-being, Phillips ran under heavy fire to recover Fitzpatrick, pulling him to cover in a nearby ditch. Now at safety, he immediately worked to patch Fitzpatrick's wound with a battle dressing and administer morphine. Once stabilized, Phillips placed the Marine on his back and crawled down the trench until he came to a tree line. Finally able to stand, the Sergeant fireman-carried Fitzpatrick the remainder of the way to the Company Corpsman's Aid Station where the wounded Marine received lifesaving treatment.

Phillips quickly returned to his Marines to realize his squad leaders had the unit on line, ready to attack enemy forced across 1,000 meters of rice paddy. Later in the battle, in the very same trench where Phillips had patched Fitzgerald's leg, the Vietcong began to bracket with 82mm mortars. Marines jumped into the trench, attempting to take cover, moments away from being killed. Phillips once again leapt into action, jumping into the trench to warn his men. As soon as his feet touched the ground, a mortar round landed 15 from his position, sending shrapnel into his neck.

Phillips was medevac'd to Charlie Med where the piece of shrapnel was removed from his neck. But in true Marine fashion, the Sergeant could not be held down and returned to his unit just two days later.

The remainder of Phillips' career was spent in a variety of posts, including Marine Barracks 8th & I, where he served as a body bearer on LtGen. Chesty Puller and President Truman's funerals as well as the evacuations in Cambodia and Saigon in 1975. He served 2 tours on the drill field and one on Sea Duty. 

First Sergeant Timothy W. Phillips retired from the Marine Corps on July 30th, 1987 with 20 years 9 months and 20 days of active duty service. Thank you for your service, Marine. Hoorah!

First Sergeant Timothy W. Phillips
First Sergeant Timothy W. Phillips
First Sergeant Timothy W. Phillips
freedom hall of heroes

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Comments


  • All have to say is I volunteered in 1969 for the U.S. Marines for two years.

    Glenn W. Lancaster on
  • First Sergeant Phillips was the last of the true warrior poets. He would unashamedly share his inner most personal emotions with others in the one instance, and in the other instance, wreak indefensible havoc and destruction on his enemies. I witnessed First Sergeant Phillips choke back tears when talking about the heroic deeds of the Marines in his platoon while deployed to Vietnam, and I have also witnessed him stand in the middle of boxing ring at 8th & I, and beat the living tar out of a giant Marine NCO 20 years his junior in what could only be described as a sanctioned street brawl. One of the most honorable, accomplished, and yet humble men I’ve ever had the good fortune of being led by. First Sergeant Phillips is the embodiment of a man, and of a Marine.

    Paul Chandler on
  • I’ve known 1stSgt Tim Phillips since 1980. To say he’s a Marine’s Marine is an understatement. A fiercely loyal brother. A gentle giant until poked. Leadership by example is exemplified and magnified 100-fold! Tim Phillips is truly a giant among men! The love and respect the Marines who have served with him and I have for Tim are boundless! Semper Fidelis ’Big Tim".

    Alfred A. Karam, MGySgt (Ret) on
  • Happy Birthday First Sergeant. I had the Honor to have been trained and molded by Tim Phillips at Parris Island. Semper Fi sir. I left the state of Ohio a kid… I left basic training a man! Thank you so much, I will never forget you.

    Ronald K. Butcher on
  • I have had the unique opportunity to have such a loyal friend as Tim. We worked, hunted and fished together for 13 years. As I listened to stories on night shift I sometimes felt transferred to another time and place. Being an historian he could give such accurate detail about Viet Nam and the places he served. I am a better man for having known him and I love him like a brother. I was 8 years old when he was in Viet Nam and knew older kids in my neighborhood that never returned from over there. Tim had such an impact on my life during hard times he deserves so much respect. I am grateful to have known such a friend. I am glad someone recognizes him like this. Thank you

    Gerald Tarter on

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