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Pamela LaVerne Jeans-Historian
to remember
Marine 2ndLt William Richardson Phillips (Bill).
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Casualty Info
Home Town Newport News
Last Address Hampton, VA
Casualty Date Oct 30, 1952
Cause KIA-Killed in Action
Reason Multiple Fragmentation Wounds
Location Korea, South
Conflict Korean War/Korea, Summer-Fall (1952)/Battle of the Hook
Location of Interment Peninsula Memorial Park Cemetery - Newport News, Virginia
Korean War/Korea, Summer-Fall (1952)/Battle of the Hook
From Month/Year
May / 1952
To Month/Year
May / 1952
Description The Chinese forces charged the forward British positions once the bombardment ceased. The Dukes were outnumbered by 5 to 1. The fighting that ensued was bloody and akin to the battles that the 'Dukes' had fought during World War I. Artillery shells rained down on the Hook, from both the Chinese and UN forces. The Chinese launched a second attack but were cut down by heavy artillery fire from UN forces. Further attacks occurred during the day, but all were defeated in heavy fighting.
Successive Chinese assaults on the Hook position defended by the 1st Battalion, The Duke of Wellington's Regiment on the night of 28 May 1953. The fourth Chinese assault on the right flank of 1 battalion, the Duke of Wellington's was repulsed by the 1st Battalion, The King's Regiment, with the aid of artillery support.
Just 30 minutes into 29 May, the Chinese forces launched another attack, but they were again beaten back. The Dukes began advancing up the line of the original trenches to dislodge the remaining Chinese forces in the forward trenches. The 'Dukes' secured the Hook at 03:30. For their action they were awarded the Battle Honour "The Hook"
My Participation in This Battle or Operation
From Month/Year
May / 1952
To Month/Year
May / 1952
Last Updated: Mar 16, 2020
Personal Memories
Memories Killed in Action Died October 30, 1952 in Korea
BATTLE ZONE: WESTERN OUTPOSTS TOWN OR AREA: THE HOOK
USNA Class of 1951, Second Lieutenant Phillips was a member of Headquarters Battery, 11th Marines, 1st Marine Division. On October 30, 1952, while he was inspecting his observation bunker, he was struck and killed by fragments from an enemy mortar round.
