Fort Leonard Wood Museum receives Silver Star on Veterans Day

By Ms Nicole Black (Leonard Wood)November 14, 2011

Fort Leonard Wood Museum receives Silver Star
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Col. Fabian Mendoza, acting commandant for the United States Army Engineer School and Mr. Phillip George, Vietnam Veteran placed George's Silver Star and Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry in the display at the John B. Mahaffey Museum Complex, Fort Leonar... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Veteran, Phillip George speaks to Engineer Soldiers on Veteran's Day
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Silver Star recipent, Phillip George spoke to Advanced Individual Training Soldiers from Company A, 554 Engineer Battalion, 1st Engineer Brigade, Fort Leonard Wood. Standing on the same model bulldozer he operated on Aug. 12, 1967, George discussed ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

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.