On Aug. 12, 1967 Pfc. Phillip George with Company B, 39th Engineer Battalion, volunteered to complete work on a road with his bulldozer under heavy enemy sniper fire. He finished the roadway with bullets ricocheting off his machine. When the Engineer convoy started through the roadway, the convoy's third vehicle was hit by enemy fire causing the vehicle to run off the roadway. George, who was already in a safe area, returned to hook onto the vehicle and pull it to safety while receiving sniper fire the entire time. For his actions that day, George received the Silver Star and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry.
On this Veteran's Day, George gave his Silver Star and Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry to the John B. Mahaffey Museum Complex at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. Prior to the ceremony, George took the time to speak to approximately 200 Advanced Individual Training Soldiers from Company A, 554 Engineer Battalion, 1st Engineer Brigade about his experiences as a bulldozer operator during the Vietnam War.
The John B. Mahaffey Museum Complex is honored to have George's Silver Star and Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry on display.
Social Sharing