George Frederick Phillips

Machinist First Class, U.S. Navy

Medal of Honor Recipient

Spanish-American War

Machinist First Class George Frederick Phillips, (8 March 1862 - 4 June 1904) was a U.S. Navy sailor who received the U.S. military's highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor, for his heroic actions during the Spanish-American War.

George Frederick Phillips was born on 8 March 1862 in St. John, New Brunswick, Canada. He went to Galveston, TX, where he joined the U.S. Navy. During the Spanish-American War he was aboard ship that made its way to the entrance to the harbor at Santiago de Cuba. There, the USS Merrimac, a 3362-ton collier, was supplying coal to U.S. warships. On 3 June 1898, in a daring attempt to bottle up the Spanish cruiser squadron, the Merrimac was scuttled inside the entrance of Santiago Harbor. In recognition of his actions he was awarded the Medal of Honor.

Medal of Honor

Rank and organization: Machinist First Class, U.S. Navy

Citation: In connection with the sinking of the USS Merrimac at the entrance to the harbor of Santiago de Cuba 2 June 1898. Despite heavy fire from the Spanish shore batteries, Phillips displayed extraordinary heroism throughout this operation.

Death and Burial

Machinist First Class George Frederick Phillips died on 4 June 1904 in Cambridge, MA. He is buried at the Fernhill Cemetery in his hometown of Saint John, New Brunswick.