Phelps, Wesley

Date of birth:: June 12th, 1923 (Neafus/Kentucky, United States)
Date of death:: October 4th, 1944 (Peleliu Island, Palau Group)
Buried on:: American War Grave Rosine Cemetery
Plot: GAR 15. Grave: 72.
Nationality:: American

Biography

Promotions:
?: Private;
April 1944: Private 1st Class.

Career:
? - 1942: Horse Branch High School;
?: Latayette Trade School, Lexington, Kentucky;
April 9th, 1943: Induction U.S. Marine Corps;
?: Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego;
?: Signal Battalion, Marine Base, San Diego;
?: Infantry Training Battalion, Camp Elliot, California;
September 1943: 27th Replacement Battalion;
December 1943: Company M, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division.

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Medal of Honor - Navy/Marine Corps (MoH)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Private
Unit:: Company M, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division "The Old Breed", U.S. Marine Corps
Awarded for:: Operation Stalemate II

"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the 3d Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Peleliu Island, Palau Group, during a savage hostile counterattack on the night of 4 October 1944. Stationed with another marine in an advanced position when a Japanese handgrenade landed in his foxhole Pfc. Phelps instantly shouted a warning to his comrade and rolled over on the deadly bomb, absorbing with his own body the full, shattering impact of the exploding charge. Courageous and indomitable, Pfc. Phelps fearlessly gave his life that another might be spared serious injury, and his great valor and heroic devotion to duty in the face of certain death reflect the highest credit upon himself and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country."

Awarded posthumously.
Presented to his mother in Rosine, Kentucky, on April 26th, 1946 by the Commanding Officer of the Naval Ordnance Plant at Louisville, Kentucky.