Medal of Honor: Jimmy W. Phipps – Vietnam War – May 27, 1969

Name: Jimmy W. Phipps
Rank: Private First Class
Branch: U.S. Marine Corps
War: Vietnam War
Unit: Company B, 1st Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force
Date of Action: May 27, 1969
Location: Near An Hoa, Republic of Vietnam

Summary of Action

On 27 May 1969, Private First Class Jimmy W. Phipps displayed extraordinary heroism while serving as a combat engineer near An Hoa, Vietnam.

Phipps was part of a two-man demolition team assigned to locate and destroy enemy artillery ordnance and concealed explosive devices scattered throughout the combat area.

After exhausting nearly all of their demolition equipment, Phipps discovered a 175mm high explosive artillery shell lying in a rice paddy.

Suspecting the enemy had rigged the shell with a secondary explosive device, he immediately warned nearby Marines to move to covered positions.

With no other demolition equipment available, Phipps prepared to destroy the artillery round using a hand grenade.

As he carefully positioned the grenade beside the shell, the fuse of the hidden enemy explosive suddenly ignited.

In an instant, Phipps realized the enormous blast would likely kill both his assistant and the nearby platoon commander standing only a few feet away.

Without hesitation and with complete disregard for his own safety, he grabbed the grenade to his chest and hurled himself directly over the explosive device and artillery shell.

Moments later, the massive charge detonated beneath him.

By absorbing the full force of the explosion with his own body, Phipps shielded the two Marines beside him and saved their lives.

His selfless sacrifice, fearless courage, and devotion to his fellow Marines reflected the highest traditions of the United States Marine Corps and Naval Service.

Medal of Honor Citation

PHIPPS, JIMMY W.

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a combat engineer with Company B in connection with combat operations against the enemy. Pfc. Phipps was a member of a 2-man combat engineer demolition team assigned to locate and destroy enemy artillery ordnance and concealed firing devices. After he had expended all of his explosives and blasting caps, Pfc. Phipps discovered a 175mm high explosive artillery round in a rice paddy. Suspecting that the enemy had attached the artillery round to a secondary explosive device, he warned other marines in the area to move to covered positions and prepared to destroy the round with a hand grenade. As he was attaching the hand grenade to a stake beside the artillery round, the fuse of the enemy’s secondary explosive device ignited. Realizing that his assistant and the platoon commander were both within a few meters of him and that the imminent explosion could kill all 3 men, Pfc. Phipps grasped the hand grenade to his chest and dived forward to cover the enemy’s explosive and the artillery round with his body, thereby shielding his companions from the detonation while absorbing the full and tremendous impact with his body. Pfc. Phipps’ indomitable courage, inspiring initiative, and selfless devotion to duty saved the lives of 2 marines and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.