Saturday, January 16, 2010

Mourning Staff Sgt. Anton R. Phillips

By MC1 Krishna Jackson

BAGRAM, Afghanistan – As the morning sun warmed the chill in the air around Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan, Soldiers gathered together to remember a fallen brother in arms. A memorial in honor of Army Staff Sgt. Anton R. Phillips was held Jan. 3 so those who served with him could say goodbye.



The 31 year old Los Angeles native started his career in June 1998 as a 63H Track Vehicle Repair Mechanic. Since October 2003, he had been assigned to 5th Maintenance Company (MC) out of Kaiserslautern, Germany. This was his second deployment to Afghanistan but the third deployment during his career including a tour in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. While serving with 5th MC, Phillips won the hearts of his leadership, peers and his Soldiers.

“Phillips took care of his Soldiers like family. He rallied them to do their jobs to the best of their ability and he lead by example,” said Capt. Alexis Jackson, 82nd Combined Logistics Team OIC who also served with Phillips as the 5th MC executive officer.

More than 200 Soldiers came to pay their respects to Phillips and leave behind a little piece of themselves at the foot of his memorial stand, a ceremonial display where his helmet, rifle, boots and dog tags were assembled in his honor. Many touched his boots or tags as they remembered how he had touched their lives.

“SGT Phillips was beyond reliable. We constantly gave him tough assignments and he always managed to get them done in time. More importantly, though, he earned the respect of his Soldiers. He was more than just a team leader, he was a friend and his door was always open to anyone, day or night. He will be dearly missed,” said 1st Lt. Craig A. Long, 5th MC platoon leader.

During his time in service, Phillips earned two Army Commendation medals, six Army Achievement medals, multiple Army Good Conduct medals, the National Defense Service medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary medal, the Global War on Terrorism medal, the Army Service ribbon, the Overseas Service ribbon, the NATO medal, Afghanistan Campaign medal, Army Vehicle Drive Badge and the Mechanics Badge.

Born Jan. 12, 1978, Phillips is survived by his three daughters Lexus 13, Antoneth 8 and Alina 5.

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