PHILLIPS HOWARD EDWARD

Name: CPT Howard Edward Phillips
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 01/31/1966 while performing the duty of Pilot.
Age at death: 32.5
Date of Birth: 07/19/1933
Home City: Scottsboro, AL
Service: IN branch of the reserve component of the U.S. Army.
Unit: B/229 AHB 1 CAV
Major organization: 1st Cavalry Division
Flight class: 58-4FW
Service: IN branch of the U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 04E-125
Short Summary: Shot through chest during assault in Bong Son Valley before unit had chest protecters.
Service number: O4030834
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: 1981 = 19 Rotary Wing Aviator (Unit Commander)
Primary cause: Hostile Fire
Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea
Compliment cause: small arms fire
Vehicle involved: helicopter
Position in vehicle: pilot
Started Tour: 08/12/1965
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - pilot
Length of service: 14
Location: Unknown Province

Additional information about this casualty:
Norris Woodruff was the pilot and Phillips was the aircraft commander. This was before the ceramic chest protectors were issued. While on a combat assault about 15 feet off the ground, Phillips was shot through the heart. There is an explanation of this event in the book "Chickenhawk." Information from Neal Parker, July 2001

Reason: aircraft lost or crashed
Casualty type: Hostile - killed
married male U.S. citizen
Race: Caucasian
Religion: Methodist (Evangelical United Brethren)
The following information secondary, but may help in explaining this incident.
Category of casualty as defined by the Army: battle dead Category of personnel: active duty Army Military class: officer
This record was last updated on 07/21/2001

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Date posted on this site: 09/07/2007