Empty Grave Commemorates Georgia Medal of Honor Recipient at Marietta National Cemetery

At the highest point in Marietta National Cemetery flies an American flag and the POW/MIA flag commemorating those who never returned home from their service to our country.

And in the shadow of the flags, you'll find a standard white headstone with the name of Marine Corporal Lee Hugh Phillips, recipient of our nation's highest military honor and one of the men who never returned home from war.

Corporal Lee Hugh Phillips received the USA's highest military honor for bravery and leadership in Korea. He never returned home.Photo byOurTravelCafe.com

Phillips was awarded the Medal of Honor for his brave actions on November 4, 1950, in Korea. Phillips miraculously survived the battle for which he was awarded the Medal of Honor. But he was killed in action just three weeks later, on November 27, 1950, while fighting at the Chosin Reservoir, North Korea. His remains were not recovered. His Medal of Honor was presented to his mother at a Pentagon ceremony in March 1954.

Thus, Phillips, a native of Stockbridge, GA, is commemorated with a cenotaph -- an empty tomb and monument erected in honor of a person whose remains are lost -- in Section MB, near the flag that flies over the hallowed grounds.

Each Medal of Honor award is accompanied by an official citation which describes the actions of the medal recipient. Phillips' citation reads like a superhero movie script, except that it's fact. Rather than describe it, here's the citation as published by the National Medal of Honor Museum:

CITATION

"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a squad leader of Company E, in action against enemy aggressor forces. Assuming the point position in the attack against a strongly defended and well-entrenched numerically superior enemy force occupying a vital hill position which had been unsuccessfully assaulted on 5 separate occasions by units of the Marine Corps and other friendly forces, Cpl. Phillips fearlessly led his men in a bayonet charge up the precipitous slope under a deadly hail of hostile mortar, small-arms, and machine gun fire.

"Quickly rallying his squad when it was pinned down by a heavy and accurate mortar barrage, he continued to lead his men through the bombarded area and, although only 5 members were left in the casualty ridden unit, gained the military crest of the hill where he was immediately subjected to an enemy counterattack.

"Although greatly outnumbered by an estimated enemy squad, Cpl. Phillips boldly engaged the hostile force with handgrenades and rifle fire and, exhorting his gallant group of marines to follow him, stormed forward to completely overwhelm the enemy.

"With only 3 men now left in his squad, he proceeded to spearhead an assault on the last remaining strongpoint which was defended by 4 of the enemy on a rocky and almost inaccessible portion of the hill position.

"Using 1 hand to climb up the extremely hazardous precipice, he hurled grenades with the other and, with 2 remaining comrades, succeeded in annihilating the pocket of resistance and in consolidating the position.

"Immediately subjected to a sharp counterattack by an estimated enemy squad, he skillfully directed the fire of his men and employed his own weapon with deadly effectiveness to repulse the numerically superior hostile force.

"By his valiant leadership, indomitable fighting spirit and resolute determination in the face of heavy odds, Cpl. Phillips served to inspire all who observed him and was directly responsible for the destruction of the enemy stronghold. His great personal valor reflects the highest credit upon himself and enhances and sustains the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service."

(Signed) Dwight D. Eisenhower, President of the United States

Additional Honors

In addition to receiving the Medal of Honor, Phillips was bestowed with Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon,Navy & Marine Corps Presidential Unit Citation with 2 Bronze Stars, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal with 2 Bronze Stars and the United Nations Service Medal.

Killed in battle in Korea, Lee Phillips' remains were never recovered. He is honored with a cenotaph near the flagpole at Marietta National.Photo byDeanLand / OurTravelCafe.com

Early Life

According to information published by the Military Hall of Honor, "Phillips was born on 3 February 1930 in Stockbridge, GA. He attended school in Ellenwood, GA, until 1945, then worked six months painting picture frames for the Georgia Art Supply Company of Atlanta, and more than a year as a stock clerk at the Davison-Paxton department store in that city. He enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve on 17 January 1948, and after six months of inactive duty, joined the regular Marine Corps on 19 July 1948.

"Completing his recruit training at Parris Island, SC, in October 1948, he was promoted to Private First Class and assigned to the 8th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, at Camp Lejeune, NC. He remained with the 8th Marines for a year, serving with the regiment on Caribbean maneuvers in February and March 1949 and in the Mediterranean from May to September 1949. He then served with Company E, 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines until August 1950, when the battalion was assigned to the 7th Marines, First Marine Division for service in Korea. He sailed from San Diego, CA, with that unit in September 1950, and fought with Company E in the capture of Seoul."

Our Memorial Day Series

We're honoring those who served with a special series on the heroes in the hills at Marietta National Cemetery. See these other Newsbreak stories:

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More From DeanLand

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