Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Jim
Bob
Phifer
POW (WWII) KIA

Cemetery:

A.B.M.C. Manila

Awards Received

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Ensign

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (Philippine Islands)

    Action Date:

    May 6, 1942 – Died in Captivity
    NARA Database: Records of World War II Prisoners of War, created, 1942 – 1947

    Ensign Jim Bob Phifer (NSN: 0-146774), United States Navy, was captured by the Japanese after the fall of Corregidor, Philippine Islands, on 6 May 1942, and was held as a Prisoner of War until his death while still in captivity.

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Gunner’s Mate Second Class

    Regiment:

    Squalus Salvage Unit

    Division:

    U.S.S. Falcon (ASR-2)

    Action Date:

    1939
    Bureau of Navigation Bulletin 278 (February 10, 1940)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Gunner’s Mate Second Class Jim Bob Phifer, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession as a diver during the rescue and salvage operations following the sinking of the U.S.S. SQUALUS on 23 May 1939. Gunner’s Mate Second Class James Phifer’s courage and devotion to duty in making repeated dangerous dives during the most difficult diving conditions characterizes conduct far above and beyond the call of duty. (Advanced one grade in rating without examination.)