Korea Medal (E.E. PHILLIPS 22766 'E'); United Nations Service Medal for Korea (E.E. PHILLIPS 22766 'E'); and Canadian Forces' Decoration, ERII (PO 2/C E.E. PHILLIPS). Naming is officially impressed on the KM and UNSMK, engraved on the CFD. Mounted to a suspension with swing bar pinback, as worn by the veteran, dark patina on the KM, spotting on the UNSMK and CFD, edge nicks, contact marks, original ribbons, better than fine. Accompanied by copies of his Service Records.
Footnote: Eugene Everitt Phillips was born in Tofield, Alberta (the date of birth blackened out on his records), the son of Bertha Phillips. He enlisted with the Royal Canadian Navy in the rank of Stoker Second Class (22766 'E'), on February 23, 1946, naming his next-of-kin as his wife, Sylvia Phillips of Victoria, British Columbia, stating his trade as that of Route Man for Coca-Cola (Salesman). He would re-engage for five years' additional service on four occasions: On February 23rd in 1951, 1956, 1961 and 1966, serving on various ships during his twenty-four year career with the navy, advancing through the ranks of Stoker Second Class, Stoker First Class, Able Seaman, Leading Seaman, and concluding with Petty Officer Second Class. During the Korean War, he served as a Leading Seaman and Petty Officer Second Class with the V-class destroyer HMCS Sioux on two tours, from July 5, 1950 to February 3, 1951 and from April 8, 1951 to March 8, 1952. After the declaration of war in Korea, Canada ordered three destroyers of the Pacific Division based at CFB Esquimalt to begin preparations for deployment to the Korean theatre. HMCS Sioux was in dry dock and not expected to leave it until June 30, 1950. However, after a massive effort by the dockside crews, Sioux departed with Cayuga and Athabaskan on July 5, 1950, the three vessels arriving at Sasebo on July 30th. After arriving, the destroyer was assigned to Task Force 96.5 with Athabaskan escorting convoys of ships from Japan to Pusan. Initially retained at Sasebo for rescue missions, on August 12, 1950, the ship transferred to Task Unit 96.53.3 assigned to the west coast of Korea. After transiting, Sioux was ordered to bombard Popusompu (now a part of Beopseong-Myeon) on August 20th. At the end of the month, the destroyer bombarded the island of Te bu Somu with HMS Kenya and Cayuga. She helped provide naval support for the troops that landed at Inchon in September 1950 as part of Task Force 91.2, charged with escorting the logistic support group and enforcing the naval blockade. Along with several American and British cruisers and destroyers, Sioux, along with Cayuga and Athabaskan, bombarded the amphibious landing area at Wolmido Island just prior to the landing of troops. On October 20, 1950, Sioux joined Task Group 95.1 under the new command setup. She remained as part of the unit until her departure later in the year.
The destroyer worked as part of the blockade force on the west coast until the end of the month before returning to Sasebo. She left Sasebo on November 5th for a visit to Hong Kong. However, en route the vessel encountered Typhoon Clara and suffered slight damage that required repairs upon her arrival. Upon the destroyer's return from Hong Kong she began blockade duties in coastal waters around Inchon and the mouth of the Yalu River, as part of Task Element 95.12 alongside the other Canadian vessels. With the absence of the British cruisers, the destroyers of Task Element 95.12 were ordered on December 3rd to cover the withdrawal of units from Chinnampo by escorting the transports into the harbour and providing gunfire support during their withdrawal. Reports claiming an emergency arrived from the harbour and the destroyers were forced to sail down the swept channel at night. While making her way up the channel, Sioux ran aground. Able to get herself clear, the destroyer then fouled her starboard screw, forcing her to retire. She and HMAS Warramunga provided a covering force for the withdrawal the next day. Sioux then spent the rest of her time in theatre screening the aircraft carrier, HMS Theseus, escorting shipping, blockade patrol and providing general support for the forces evacuating Inchon. The destroyer returned to Sasebo on January 2, 1951 and spent two weeks preparing before returning home, departing on January 15, 1951. She was replaced on station by HMCS Nootka. Sioux performed two more tours of duty in the Korean War and was the last Canadian ship to depart Korean waters. For his Korean War service, Phillips was awarded the United Nations Service Medal for Korea on December 19, 1951 and the Korea Medal on August 27, 1954. For his long service in the navy, he would later be awarded the Canadian Forces' Decoration on November 30, 1959 in the rank of Petty Officer Second Class. He was honorably released from service on March 3, 1970.