Purple Heart Certificate (far right)

For wounds received in action during the Battle of Saipan, Phil was awarded the Purple Heart on June 17, 1944.  'Zeke,' the small town hero who had shot 35 enemy soldiers in the Battle of Roi-Namur, sustained a gun shot wound on the left arm.  Wallace Ralston, who had served with him throughout the course of the war, was a mere six feet away from Phil when he sustained the wound.  The story of that day can be found in the Essay Gallery at the following link...Click Here

Military qualifications

• Rifle - MM
• Bayonet
• Rifle - NCO

Battles and Campaigns

• Roi-Namur, Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands
• Saipan, Marianas Islands
• Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands

Decorations and Citations

• Purple Heart Certificate and Medal

The Purple Heart is awarded in the name of the President of the United States to any member of an Armed Forces or any civilian national of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the U.S. Armed Services after April 5, 1917, has been wounded or killed, or who has died or may die after sustaining a wound.  The medal is clearly an individual decoration, the Purple Heart differs from all other decorations in that an individual is not "recommended" for the decoration; rather he or she is entitled to it upon sustaining a wound in a combat situation (Marine Wives Website - Medals).

• Presidential Unit Citations with Ribbon Bar and 2 Bronze Stars awarded to the 4th Marine Division on Saipan and Tinian, and Assualt Troops on Iwo Jima

The Navy Presidential Unit Citation was instituted in 1942, and was awarded to Navy/Marine Corps units for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy.  The unit must have displayed such gallantry, determination, and espirit de corps in accomplishing its mission under extremely difficult and hazardous conditions to have set it apart and above other units participating in the same campaign (Marine Wives Website - Medals).

• American Campaign Medal

The American Campaign Medal was instituted in 1942 for all services, and was awarded to soldiers who served outside the United States in the American theater for a period of 30 days, or within the continental United States for one year.  The dates of this service had to be performed during the years of 1941 through 1946.  The medal was issued to commemorate the service performed by the personnel of the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard who served during World War II ( Marine Wives Website - Medals).

• Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with 3 Bronze Stars for the Marshall Islands Operation (Kwajalein), Marianas Operation (Saipan) and Iwo Jima Opeation

The Asiatic-Pacific Medal was authorized in 1942 for all services, and was awarded to soldiers who served in the Asiatic-Pacific theater for a period of 30 days or who participated in any combat action.  The dates of this service had to be performed during the years of 1941 through 1946.  The medal was issued to commemorate the service performed by the personnel of the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard who served during World War II ( Marine Wives Website - Medals).

• World War II Victory Medal

The World War II Victory Medal was authorized in 1945 for all services  The criteria for the award was service in the United States Armed Forces between 1941 and 1946 (Marine Wives Website - Medals) .