The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry) John D. Phillips, Jr. (ASN: 0-1015163), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company E, 2d Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, in action on 7 January 1945, at ****, Belgium. First Lieutenant Phillips, Battalion S-3, then Company Commander, with an under-strength company of fifty-six men, defeated a vastly superior enemy force. He moved continually throughout and to the front of his company without regard for his personal safety, despite heavy fire from mortar, 75-mm. guns, machine guns, sniper fire and in the face of a Mark VI Panther Tank. He directed his unit and upon his own initiative, directed a tank destroyer in outflanking and eliminating the tank and the subsequent destruction and capture of a battery of five 75-mm. guns, a battery of 81-mm. mortars, capturing intact a company command post containing valuable information, killing, wounding, and capturing a total of over two hundred Germans, and coordinating with another company in the attack on *** in a manner which so completely demoralized the German regimental commander that he committed suicide. First Lieutenant Phillips’ courageous conduct and outstanding leadership reflect the highest traditions of the United States Airborne Forces.

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 (Infantry) John D. Phillips, Jr. (ASN: 0-1015163), United States Army, for gallantry in action on 19 September 1944 at ****, Holland. First Lieutenant Phillips, Platoon Leader, Company E, 2d Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, participated in the assault on **** Bridge. First Lieutenant Phillips’ platoon was committed on the company’s right flank in order to make the approaches to the bridge more secure. He was ordered to seize and hold a position occupied by approximately twenty German SS Troops, well entrenched. Fierce hand-to-hand fighting was necessary to take the position and First Lieutenant Phillips personally accounted for several of the enemy with his sub-machine gun and grenades. First Lieutenant Phillips’ platoon was subjected to intense, observer artillery fire. Casualties mounted but he refused to withdraw until it finally became more tenable. The example by First Lieutenant Phillips at such a critical moment kept the morale of his men at high pitch and enabled him to hold his position until the area was consolidated. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, 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.