More detail on this person: LTC Donald Warren
Phillips, USA, Ret., age 92 of Gainesville
Georgia, died February 9, 2017 after a long battle
with cancer. He was born on March 26, 1924 in
Sunbury, Pennsylvania.
Don married his wife in 1944 and recently
celebrated 73 years of marriage to his best friend
June last month.
Raised in Sunbury, Pennsylvania, he aspired to be
a pilot. He was inducted into the Army Air Corps
and became a cadet in 1943 and was subsequently
transferred into the US Air Force in 1945. He was
transferred again to the US Army in 1946 and
served nearly 27 continuous years in service to
our country. He was a charter member of AAAA
joining in the early 1950's.
He was certified for rotor aircraft (helicopter)
in 1955 and was awarded the Army Master Aviator
designation in 1963. Eventually he was certified
to fly most US Army fixed wing and rotor aircraft.
In 1961,he graduated the United States Army War
College and in 1963, he graduated from the US
Army Command and General Staff College.
Don served during 3 wars, World War II, Korea, and
Vietnam. He also served in Germany, Japan and
Korea in peace time as well as stateside. On
August 12, 1965, he was cited for service by the
President of the Republic of Korea for personally
saving over one thousand civilian Koreans during a
tragic flood and received numerous heartfelt
letters of appreciation from the citizens of the
new free Korea. In 1967, he assumed command of
the 176th Aviation company in a forward position
in Vietnam.
Among his many awards and citations, there are:
1965 The Army Commendation Medal for
Meritorious Service, 1967 The Air Medal for
Meritorious Achievement while Participating in
Aerial Flight 1967 The Distinguished Flying Cross
for Heroism while participating in Aerial Flight,
1968 The Bronze Star Medal for Meritorious
Achievement in Ground Operations against Hostile
Forces Earned 5 sets of Wings.
After retirement for the US Army, he and his wife
traveled the United States, Mexico and Canada in a
travel trailer for 4 years after which they
decided to settle in Venice, Florida. When total
retirement didn't sit very well with Don, he and
his wife became real estate brokers and owned
Azure Realty in Venice, Florida. After many years,
the real estate company was sold and they moved
to Gainesville Georgia to be close to the other
family members.
He is survived by his wife Betty June, his
children John Randall (Randy), (wife Judith
Helen), of Cumming, Georgia; and Ted Alan, (wife
Irene N. Petree), of Flowery Branch, GA. He is
predeceased by his oldest son Richard Lee (Rick)
who was interred in 2004 at Arlington National
Cemetery. He is also survived by
three grandchildren and eight
great-grandchildren.
A memorial service was held at the retirement home
Smoky Springs in Gainesville. A full military
honors ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery
will be scheduled at a later date. On-line
condolences may be sent at
www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com
This information was last updated 04/16/2017
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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