SGT Peter Paul (Filipiak) Phillips (WWII)


SGT Peter Paul Phillips was born February 21, 1917 in Pittsburgh, PA, the son of  Walenty and Rosalie (Malinowska) Filipiak. Walenty and Rosa were originally from Poland, immigrating to the U.S. in 1912, and marrying in 1916. An alternative spelling of their names is "Walter and Rosa Phillips" as seen on the 1920 and 1930 West Virginia census data. At the time of Peter's birth (according to Walenty's WWI draft card, dated June 5, 1917), the family was living at 316 Harman Street in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Peter was the oldest of six brothers, all of whom entered the draft (or attempted to, in the youngest's case). 

In 1920, the family was living in West Virginia, first in McDowell County. By 1930, the family moved to Farmington, where their address was listed as "Big Laurel Run Road," and Walenty was working as a coal loader. Pete likely graduated from Farmington High School, as his draft card said that he completed four years of high school. In 1935, Walenty applied for Naturalization.

According to the 1940 census, the family was living in the same home (now listed as being within #9) and Pete (now 23) had joined his father in employment as coal miners.

Pete registered for the draft in Farmington on October 16,1940. His draft card shows his place of employment as Barrackville #7 Mine, owned by the Bethlehem Steel Corporation. Peter was 6' and 180 pounds, with hazel eyes, blonde hair, and light skin. Under distinguishing features, it adds that he had a one inch scar on his forehead.

January 2, 1942, Rosa died of bladder and rectum cancer at Fairmont General Hospital. On May 20, 1942, Walenty entered the "Old Man's Draft," at which time he was working at the Jamison #9 Mine. The draft card lists Pete's address as "South Carolina (Air Corps)."

On June 4, 1942, Pete married Geraldine Grace Smith from Fairmont, with the ceremony officiated by Reverand Thomas Grafton Meredith, pastor of Highland Avenue United Methodist in Bellview. Geraldine had one child from a previous marriage, 2-year-old Jack Arland (Pigott) Phillips, whom Pete presumably adopted, as Jack used the name Phillips after their marriage and his 2011 obituary gives Pete's name as his father.

Military Service:

Pete was serving in the 341st Bomber Squadron, 97th Bomber Group (Heavy). Starting January 16, 1944, they were stationed at Amendola Air Base in Italy. Their group flew B-17 Flying Fortresses.

From the Army Air Corp Museum:

"From Nov 1943 to Apr 1945, engaged chiefly in long-range missions to targets in Italy, France, Germany, Czechoslovakia, Austria, Hungary, Rumania, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia, and Greece, attacking oil refineries, aircraft factories, marshalling yards, and other strategic objectives. Received a DUC for leading a strike against an aircraft factory at Steyr on 24 Feb 1944 during Big Week, the intensive air campaign against the German aircraft industry."

On March 22, 1944, Pete was killed in action. He received the Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters and the Purple Heart for his service. SGT Pete Paul Phillips was buried at the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery. He is also honored at Veteran's Square in Fairmont, WV.

Walenty died just seven months later, of a sudden coronary embolism. Geraldine remarried, and spent the rest of her life in Fairmont, before dying in 1978 at 60.

Sources and More Information:

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