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The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Private Sylvester Wendell Phillips (ASN: 1038936), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Battery E, 10th Field Artillery, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Greves Farm, France, 14 July 1918. Private Phillips was acting as telephone operator at a gun in a detached position, when all the crew became casualties. With another soldier, he courageously continued to fire the piece under the heaviest bombardment, until it was struck by a shell and he was killed.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Private

    Regiment:

    10th Field Artillery Regiment

    Division:

    3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    July 14, 1918
    Headquarters, 3d Division, A.E.F., Citation Orders No. 22 (July 8, 1919)

    By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Private Sylvester Phillips (ASN: 1038936) and Private Walter J. Kleiber (ASN: 107175), United States Army, are cited (Posthumously) by the Commanding General, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the World War I Victory Medals awarded him. While serving with Battery E, 10th Field Artillery Regiment, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, on the night of 14 July 1918, near Greves Farm, France, Privates Phillips and Kleiber while acting as telephone operators at the third piece, which was in a detached position, on seeing the piece lose its entire crew, courageously and without regard to personal safety, continued to fire the piece under the heaviest bombardment until the piece was blown up and they were killed. [A Distinguished Service Cross was awarded for this action.]