Lieutenant (junior grade) Charles Emery Phillips, United States Naval Reserve: For distinguishing himself by extraordinary achievement in operations against the enemy while serving as a pilot of carrier based fighter aircraft on 25 October 1944. He participated in a highly successful and damaging attack against surface units of the enemy fleet. He flew through intense anti-aircraft fire to vigorously press a strafing and glide bombing attack on a large enemy aircraft carrier. He carried his dive to a dangerously low level in order to obtain a direct hit on the carrier which was stopped dead in the water and left in a burning and sinking condition. His courage and skill were at times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Mr. Phillips joined the Legion of Valor in 2004 and resided in Texas.