Paul Wise Phillips, Jr. October 28, 1948 - December 30, 2022

74 of Elkton, VA died Friday December 30, 2022 at Sentara RMH. Born in Harrisonburg, VA on October 28, 1948 he was the son of the late Paul Wise Phillips, Sr. and Nina McCauley Phillips but was raised by Andrew and Bertha McCauley. He was also preceded in death by a brother, DeWayne Phillips and a special friend, Jerry Neff.

Mr. Phillips proudly served our country in the United States Army during the Vietnam War where he was a member of the 101st Airborne Division. He was a longtime employee of Neff Masonry and M3 where he served as a brick layer, brick foreman and estimator. He loved to hunt, fish and bird watch. He loved motorcycles, fruit trees, gardening, honeybees and just “piddling around.”

He is survived by his son, Paul Eric Phillips and his wife, Kim of Port Republic; a daughter, Brooke Simmers and her husband, Doug of Harrisonburg; grandchildren, Austin Buzzard, Cole Phillips, and Abby Phillips; a special fiancée, Linda Raines of Elkton; sisters, Katie Andes and her husband, Ivan “Sonny” of Timberville, and Martha Phillips May and friend, Greg Meadows of Keezletown; a sister in law, Louise Phillips, many nieces and nephews, two that were especially close, Allen Phillips and Donald Phillips. He also is survived by his close and special friends, Teddy Hensley, John Smith, Roger Miller, Darrell Campbell, Greg Meadows, Lyniel Kite Jr., John Burner, Jeremy Miller, and Myrtle Frances Pence.

A memorial service will be conducted on Wednesday, January 4, 2023, at 2:00 P.M., at the Kyger Funeral Home in Elkton, with Pastor Dickie Campbell officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Vietnam Veterans, Chapter 1061, Post Office Box 1754, Harrisonburg, VA 22801.

Services

Wednesday, January 04, 2023

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Kyger Funeral Home Elkton

115 Nicholson Road

Elkton, Virginia 22827

Pictures of Paul and Vietnam Veteran friends he served with.

	Mike Rocklen and Paul
Walt Fuller And Paul	Paul and Bruce Nesmith
Bill Rogerson and Paul	Randy Gilliam, Lanny Ruck, and Paul

Russ Balisok wrote on Dec. 31, 2022

Veterans of Company B, 158th Assault Helicopter Battalion, 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile), with nickname “Lancers,” consider Paul a brother. Paul served with the Lancers in Vietnam in 1969-1970. Co B, the Lancers, supported infantry units in the 101st Airborne during intense combat operations. The Lancers conducted combat assaults deep into enemy territory, inserting infantry units directly into combat while exposed to withering enemy fire. In addition to conducting combat insertion operations the Lancers continued to support infantry and other combat arms units with resupply operations, often delivering life supporting supplies and ammunition when ground troops were under heavy enemy contact. The Lancers also supported U.S. Marine forces in northern I Corps of South Vietnam. Paul participated in these operations serving as a crew chief keeping his aircraft in top readiness for these combat operations. Paul participated in the combat and resupply missions as a senior crew member and door gunner. Pilots trusted their crew members to help protect them under most arduous conditions. He was my crew chief as we became operational.  He was dedicated to his job and courageous. 

A specific mission during Paul’s time with the Lancers can be described as follows: During an initial orientation flight we were assigned medivac chase on a flight deep into Laos.  

A Charlie model UH-1 “Huey” gunship was down deep in enemy territory.

It fell to Paul to exit our aircraft and run about 50 yards to the downed aircraft.

Paul pulled the injured, unconscious crew from the wreckage and carried them back to our aircraft.  

He did all of this without hesitation.

Paul, Mike Monroe, and I were a team. I can’t believe he’s gone Condolences to family and friends from all the Lancers on the loss of our brother.

RIP Russ Balisok