Lee H . Phillips Lee Hugh Phillips ( February 3 , 1930 – November 27 , 1950 ) was a United States Marine who was posthumous ly awarded the United States ’ highest military decoration — the Medal of Honor — for his heroism on November 4 , 1950 , while fighting in Korea with Company E , 2nd Battalion , 7th Marines , 1st Marine Division , in the push toward the Chosin Reservoir . The 20 - year old squad leader was the 40th Marine to be awarded the Medal of Honor for actions during the Korean War . Although he survived that action , he was killed at Yudam - ni on November 27 , 1950 , during a later phase of the hard - fought Chosin Reservoir campaign . The medal was presented to his mother on March 29 , 1954 by Secretary of the Navy Robert B . Anderson . The Pentagon ceremony also included presentation of posthumous Medals of Honor to the families of Sergeants James E . Johnson and Daniel P . Matthews . Biography . Lee Hugh Phillips was born on February 3 , 1930 in Stockbridge , Georgia . He attended school in Ellenwood , Georgia , until 1945 , then worked six months painting picture frames for the Georgia Art Supply Company of Atlanta , and more than a year as a stock clerk at the Davison - Paxton department store in that city . He enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve on January 17 , 1948 , and after six months of inactive duty , joined the regular Marine Corps on July 19 , 1948 . Completing his recruit training at Parris Island , South Carolina in October 1948 , he was promoted to private first class and assigned to the 8th Marines , 2nd Marine Division , at Camp Lejeune , North Carolina . He remained with the 8th Marines for a year , serving with the regiment on Caribbean maneuvers in February and March 1949 , and in the Mediterranean from May to September 1949 . He then served with Company E , 2nd Battalion , 6th Marines until August 1950 , when the battalion was assigned to the 7th Marines , 1st Marine Division for service in Korea . He sailed from San Diego , California , with that unit in September 1950 , and had fought with Company E in the capture of Seoul before he was killed in action . He was interred in the Marietta National Cemetery in Marietta , Georgia . Awards and decorations . Corporal Phillips was also awarded a posthumous Purple Heart Medal for his fatal wounds . His other medals and decorations included the Presidential Unit Citation with two bronze stars ; the Navy Occupation Service Medal with Europe clasp ; the National Defense Service Medal ; the Korean Service Medal with two bronze stars and the United Nations Service Medal . Medal of Honor citation . The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to CORPORAL LEE H . PHILLIPS UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS for service as set forth in the following CITATION : For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a Squad Leader of Company E , Second Battalion , Seventh Marines , First Marine Division ( Reinforced ) , in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 4 November 1950 . Assuming the point position in the attack against a strongly defended and well - entrenched numerically superior enemy force occupying a vital hill position which had been unsuccessfully assaulted on five separate occasions by units of the Marine Corps and other friendly forces , Corporal Phillips fearlessly led his men in a bayonet charge up the precipitous slope under a deadly hail of hostile mortar , small - arms and machine - gun fire . Quickly rallying his squad when it was pinned down by a heavy and accurate mortar barrage , he continued to lead his men through the bombarded area and , although only five members were left in the casualty ridden unit , gained the military crest of the hill where he was immediately subjected to an enemy counterattack . Although greatly outnumbered by an estimated enemy squad , Corporal Phillips boldly engaged the hostile force with hand grenade s and rifle fire and , exhorting his gallant group of Marines to follow him , stormed forward to completely overwhelm the enemy . With only three men now left in his squad , he proceeded to spearhead an assault on the last remaining strong point which was defended by four of the enemy on a rocky and almost inaccessible portion of the hill position . Using one hand to climb up the extremely hazardous precipice , he hurled grenades with the other and , with two remaining comrades , succeeded in annihilating the pocket of resistance and in consolidating the position . Immediately subjected to a sharp counterattack by an estimated enemy squad , he skillfully directed the fire of his men and employed his own weapon with deadly effectiveness to repulse the numerically superior hostile force . By his valiant leadership , indomitable fighting spirit and resolute determination in the face of heavy odds , Corporal Phillips served to inspire all who observed him and was directly responsible for the destruction of the enemy stronghold . His great personal valor reflects the highest credit upon himself and enhances and sustains the finest traditions of the United States Naval Service . / S / DWIGHT D . EISENHOWER