Charles Davis Phillips – Colonel, United States Army

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Colonel Charles Davis Phillips, U.S. Army

Born in Kansas October 5, 1928
Died November 23, 2000

Cadet U.S. Military Academy 1947-51
Graduated as No. 18088, Class of 1951
Second Lieutenant Lieutenant 1951
Advanced through grades to Colonel

Served with 4th Tank Battalion, 1st Armored Division 1951-52 Served with Heavy Tank Company, 6th Infantry Regiment, Berlin 1952-53 Served with 57th Tank Battalion, 2d Armored Division 1953-55 Served with Weapons Department, The Artillery School 1955-58 Served with Headquarters, Continental Army Command 1960-63 Served with US. Military Assistance Advisory Group, Vietnam 1963 Served with 66th Armored Regiment, 2d Armored Division 1964-65 Student, Command & General Staff College 1965-66 Served with Office of Deputy Chief of Staff (Operations), US. Army 1966-69 Commanding Officer, 5th Battalion, 32d Armored Regiment, 24th Infantry Division 1969-70 Assistant Chief of Staff G-1 (Personnel), 1st Infantry Division 1970 Served with Office of Inspector General, US. Military Assistance Command Vietnam 1971-72 Served with Staff & Faculty, Command & General Staff College 1972-75 Professor (Military Science & Tactics), Eastern Kentucky University 1975-78 Student, Army War College 1975-76 Served with Headquarters, Tank-Automotive Materiel Readiness Command
(TARCOM) 1978-81. Retired 1981.

Legion of Merit (2)

18088 Charles D. Phillips
October 05, 1928 – November 23, 2000
USMA 1951-A2
COLONEL, USA

 Personal Eulogy

Dave Phillips passed away in his home in Alexandria, Virginia at 3 p.m. yesterday, November 23, 2000. He was surrounded by family members and passed away quietly after an extended illness. Margaret told me that for the last two months they shared much happiness talking and discussing their experiences and lives together.

Dave’s remains have been cremated and they will be interred at Arlington cemetery on December 4, 2000. Those attending the gravesite services need to be at the Reception Center at 2:30 p.m. before proceeding by convoy to the gravesite.

There will be church services held in Alexandria prior to the interment, also on December 4, 2000. An e-mail will be sent out confirming the time and the location of these church services. Those wishing to do so, in lieu of sending flowers, might send a donation to the Hospice of Northern Virginia, 6172 Arlington Boulevard, Falls Church, Virginia.

Charles D. Phillips, Colonel
Born October 5, 1928 – Died November 23, 2000

Charles Davis “Dave” Phillips was born in Kansas on 5 October 1928 to James H. Phillips, Sr. (USMA ’19) and Mrs. Phillips. Dave was appointed to West Point from Junction City, Kansas on a Senatorial appointment.

An Army brat, the son of a grad, and half of the only brother set in our class, Dave was well prepared to meet the demands of West Point. A year at Sully’s Prep School put the finishing touches on his “armor.” Dave served on the General Committee as a Cadet, on the Wrestling Team, and was A-2’s First Sergeant.

On graduation, Dave went in the Armor Corps, reported to, and served with the 4th Tank Battalion, 1st Armored Division during most of 1951. The Heavy Tank Company 6th Infantry in Berlin followed in 1952 where Dave served until 1953. Assignment to the 57th Tank Battalion, 2nd Armored Division was from 1953 to 1955 and then to the Weapons Department, at the Artillery School from 1955 to 1958. At this point in his career, Dave took time out to take a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering degree at the University of Southern California, which he completed in 1960.

His next assignment was to Headquarters, the Continental Army Command from 1960 to 1963 and then to the combat area with the Military Assistance Advisory Group, Republic of Vietnam in 1963 for which he was decorated with the Combat Infantryman Badge. On return from Vietnam Dave went to the 6th Army 2nd Armored Division from 1964 to 1965 during which he earned the Commendation Medal for distinguished service. Then followed the Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas for the Field Officers Course in 1966. Dave’s next assignment to the Office Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Department of the Army from 1966 to 1969. Dave earned the Meritorious Service Medal for conspicuously meritorious performance of duty in a non-combat situation during this tour.

He was named Battalion Commander of the 5322nd Armor 24th Division as well as G4 (Supply) of the 1st Division from 1969 to 1970 for which he got a second Meritorious Service Medal. Dave returned to Nam in the Office the Inspector General Military Assistance Command Vietnam in 1971. This time Dave was decorated with the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and the Joint Service Commendation Medal. He then returned to the Command and General Staff College in 1973, this time on the Staff & Faulty where he served until 1975.

Then followed an assignment as Professor of Military Science at Eastern Kentucky University from 1975 to 1978, although he sandwiched the resident course at the Army War College in 1976. Dave’s last duty assignment was to Headquarters, Tank Automotive Material Readiness Command from 1978 to 1981. On this his last assignment he received a second Legion of Merit.

Dave retired in 1981 as a full Colonel. He and his wife Margaret made their home in Alexandria, Virginia.

Dave died on November 23, 2000 of multiple sclerosus.

Cullum 6355 is James H. Phillips Class of 1919 father of Charles D. and 18174 is James H. Phillips, Jr., a brother, in our class.

(Dave was the writer’s beast barracks roommate and the first classmate he met.)

José Andrés Chacón
Cullum 18250
Your Little Bitty Buddy!

PHILLIPS, CHARLES DAVIS

  • COL US ARMY
  • VETERAN SERVICE DATES: 06/01/1951 – 06/30/1981
  • DATE OF BIRTH: 10/05/1928
  • DATE OF DEATH: 11/23/2000
  • DATE OF INTERMENT: 12/04/2000
    BURIED AT: SECTION 8  SITE 6080-B

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