Sidney C. Phillips, Jr.: Marine & Rifleman

But the most important resource the state contributed to final victory in the Second World War was its people. During the war years, more than a quarter million Alabamians entered the uniformed service of the United States military. They served in every branch and in every theater of operations, and more than 6,000 of them lost their lives. The legacy of the Second World War is alive and well today throughout the state in the form of veterans from the Army, Navy, Coast Guard and, of course, the U.S. Marine Corps.

One particular Alabama World War II Marine veteran enjoys his retirement on a quiet farm near Mobile—or maybe it’s not so quiet. Aside from the sound of gunfire that occasionally echoes from his personal firing range, Sid Phillips’ property is a typically serene piece of rural South Alabama. If his name is familiar to you, it is probably because you first heard it back in 2007 when he was featured in the seven-part PBS documentary film “The War.” More recently, he was featured again in the HBO 10-part mini-series “The Pacific.” In addition to that, he is the author of “You’ll Be Sor-Ree: a Guadalcanal Marine Remembers the Pacific War” (published by Valor Studios in 2010 and available through www.marinesidphillips.com). It is a book that he began writing in 1997 to provide a chronicle of his experiences during the Second World War for his family. At age 86, his life now is busier and more complicated than it ever has been. But despite his newfound celebrity status, Phillips remains one of the most humble and approachable individuals you may ever meet. He has the infectious and genuine smile of a man who loves life and loves people. He is quick-witted and possesses an almost magical ability to make people feel welcome and comfortable. In a word, Sid Phillips is a gentleman. But beneath the amiable and light-hearted qualities of his charming personality lies a man who endured some of the most intense combat in 20th century warfare.

Born Sidney Clarke Phillips, Jr., in Mobile in September 1924, Phillips volunteered for the Marine Corps on Monday, Dec. 8, 1941, at the ripe old age of 17. He reported to recruit training at Parris Island, S.C., later that month where he was issued Springfield M1903 rifle serial number 345293. Six weeks later, he received the Eagle, Globe and Anchor emblem that all Marines receive upon completion of boot camp. Then he was swiftly assigned to the mortar platoon of H Company/2nd Battalion/1st Marine Regiment of the 1st Marine Division (or simply “H-2-1”). His battalion then crossed the country by train to Oakland, Calif., where it boarded the transport U.S.S. George F. Elliot (AP-13) and departed for Wellington, New Zealand, and the war with Japan. It was the summer of 1942 and the conflict was everywhere in the Pacific, so the 2nd Battalion/1st Marines (or “2-1”) remained in Wellington only briefly. On July 22, 1942, the men of 2-1 re-embarked on the George F. Elliot to the Solomon Islands. On Aug. 7, 1942, PFC Phillips hit the beach during the Operation Watchtower landings on Guadalcanal. During the following four months, Phillips and the men of H-2-1’s 81 mm mortar platoon endured the brutal living conditions and the savage combat that characterized the struggle for that island. During the night of Aug. 21, Phillips fought in the infamous Battle of the Tenaru. The following week he celebrated his 18th birthday. Although he was a member of a mortar crew, Phillips was regularly assigned to perimeter security duty. During those long nights in a foxhole on the line surrounded by jungle, he was given an M1903 Springfield rifle and two bandoliers of .30-cal. ammunition. It was some of the most unforgiving fighting that Marines experienced during World War II.