The son of a Methodist minister, when his family moved to Huntington, West Virginia, Mitchell Phillips began attending a nearby Christian Church, known as Disciples of Christ. Entering college in Huntington, Phillips majored in speech and drama, and minored in sociology, but gained an interest in ministry and while attending college he served as a relief pastor. He completed graduate work in Boston University, and then Boston Theological Seminary, and upon graduation was ordained a Christian (Disciples of Christ) minister in 1934. His first full time church was in Wheeling, West Virginia, in 1935, and then he moved to Minerva, Ohio, two years later where he married. An Eagle Scout in his youth, he entered the Army in 1939 to fill an allotment for the Christian Church. After serving stateside, in 1944 he deployed to Southern France with the 10th Armored Division, moving with the division to combat in Germany. He continued to serve after World War II, returning to combat in Korea where he earned a Legion of Merit. He retired as a U.S. Army colonel.
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Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
First Lieutenant (Chaplain’s Corps)Division:
10th Armored DivisionAction Date:
World War II
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Chaplain’s Corps) Mitchell W. Phillips, United States Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as a Chaplain with the 10th Armored Division, during the movement from Cherbourg through France and into Belgium, in the European Theater of Operations, in 1944. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Chaplain Phillips, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.