William Phillips III, Bombardier, WW2.

William A. Phillips III, 1st Lt.
Bombardier, US Air Force, WW2
323rd Bomb Group, 456th Bomb Squadron

Plane: 375-G
Feb 11, 1945
Daytime Mission: Modarth M/Y
Bombed RR yards near Cologne, Germany
8,500LB bombs from 13,300 feet

L-R: S/Sgt. Peter Kudrinvetz, Tail gunner; Capt. Dave Knight, Pilot;
S/Sgt. J.M. Knight, Turrent Gunner; Lt. Col. Name Unknown; 1st Lt. Phillips, Bombardier;
S/Sgt. R.J. Fergason, Waist Gunner; 1st Lt. Vance D. Salisbury, Co-Pilot

Saratoga Springs-
William A. "Bill" Phillips, 81, of Park Place, former Deputy Commissioner of Finance for the City of Saratoga Springs, died Saturday, March 22, 1997, at the Saratoga Hospital.

Born on March 11, 1916 in Saratoga Springs, he was the son of the late William A. and Rose M (Lawrence Phillips and was a lifelong resident.

He attended St. Peter's Academy, was a 1933 graduate of Saratoga Springs High School and in 1939 graduate of the Albany Business College where he was a four-semester member of the 100% Honor Club.

He and his family owned and operated the Phillips Newsroom, Variety and Cigar Store on Broadway for more than 40 years until it closed in 1951.

A U.S. Army Air Corps veteran of World War II, he served as a 1sr Lt., flying 65 combat missions with the 456th Squadron of the 323rd Bombardment Group in the European Theatre of Operations. As a bombardier-navigator stationed in Europe, he was the recipient of numerous medals, awards and citations, including the Presidential Unit Citation and the Air Medal with Eleven oak leaf clusters. By direction of the President of the United States, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross,, which read in part, "for the extraordinary achievement against the enemy on Dec. 25, 1944 in Germany. Although his aircraft was severely damaged and despite the hazards and difficulties encountered, he delivered accurate and devastating results with calm proficiency and unusual determination to reflect the highest credit to himself and his organization." He was awarded the Cross by the commanding general of the 9th Air Force in New York. Following his discharge in 1945 he served as captain and commander of Co. L, 105th Infantry of N.Y. National Guard at Armory of the Lake Avenue, Saratoga for three years and was a member of its Old Guard Association.

A well-known area high school baseball catcher and basketball player, he later played in the city's Twilight league and also for the Saratoga Athletics baseball and University club basketball teams. An accredited basketball referee, he officiated on both high school and collegiate levels and at the city's Convention Hall on Broadway for numerous games, including the Harlem Globetrotters basketball games. He was a former member of the McGregor Country Club.

He was appointed Deputy Commissioner of Finance for the city of Saratoga Springs for 29 years, retiring in 1974 after serving under four different commissioners and was deputy treasurer for the city school district. He was honored by the New York State Conference of Mayors and Municipal Officials for 25 years of continuous service in 1970. He Was also employed in the money room of the pari-mutual department of the Saratoga Harness track for 26 years until 1978.

He was an honorary life member of the class of 1946 Saratoga B.P.O. Elks Lodge 161 and served as judge for the 1954 N.Y. State Elks Association and Lodge Convention Parade held in Syracuse, a life member of the Gurtler Bros. Post 420 Veterans of Foreign Wars and a member of the Administrative Employees Association. He was a honorary life member, former treasurer and 56 year third degree member of the Saratoga Council 246 Knights of Columbus and a m,ember of Saratoga Assembly 0745 Knights of Columbus Forth Degree. He was a charter member and former treasurer of both the Saratoga Colombian Association and Circle 98 of Colombian Squires. He was a charter member, past president and member of the board of governors of the Saratoga Springs Friendly Sons of St. Patrick Society and was one of five surviving charter members honored at this year's 45th anniversary dinner on March 17, 1997. He served as the first treasurer of NYRA Saratoga Fair Association in 1975 and was member of th4e B-26 Historical Society and Archive at the University of Akron, Ohio and the Empire State Aerosciences Museum and Center for Education in Scotia. An avid thoroughbred horse racing fan, he spent each August as a patron of the backstretch and enjoyed the history of Saratoga Springs.

A member of the Church of St. Peter, he was a former usher and served as auditor of the parish DDP (Bishop's Appeal) for many years. An active supporter of Catholic education, he was a member and long time treasurer of St. Peter's Athletic Association and chaired numerous fundraisers and athletic sports banquets for the school. He volunteered ion the city's Little League baseball board and coached several little league teams.

He was predeceased by his wife, Marion R. (Tompkins) Phillips on June 21, 1996; one son, William F. Phillips on April 15, 1995, four brothers, Walter J., Paul J., John F., and Eugene E. Phillips; and one sister, Dorothy M. Carroll, all of Saratoga Springs.

He is survived by two daughters, Mary Lynn Cimon of Kinderhook, and Carol A. Magrath of Quincy, Mass., three sons, J. Paul Phillips and Mark T. Phillips, both of Saratoga Springs and Michael G. Phillips of Gansevoort; two sisters, Miss Helen E. Phillips and Mrs. Mary Murry, both of Saratoga Springs; 11 grandchildren, one great-grandson; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 AM Tuesday (March 25) at the Church of St. Peter, Saratoga Springs.

Burial with military honors will follow in the family plot at St. Peter's Cemetery, West Avenue.

BALLSTON SPA - Family, friends, former co-workers and fellow veterans gathered Tuesday to honor William A. Phillips, - a highly decorated veteran and lifelong Saratoga Springs resident who served as city deputy finance commissioner for 29 years.

Well known and highly respected for his work on behalf of the city, Bill was recognized Tuesday afternoon by the Saratoga County Honor-A- Deceased Veterans Committee for a chapter of his life he keep more personal than public. Phillips served as a First Lieutenant in the 456th Squadron of the 9th Air Force during World War 11, flying as a bombardier/ navigator in the air offensive in the European theater of operations in Normandy, northern France and the Rhineland. Born in 1916, Bill was involved in the family business, Phillips Newsroom, which is embedded in local history, remembered as a place for buying a cigar and the daily news, swapping a good bit of gossip, and placing a bet on the horses in the backroom. The family ran the variety store for 40 A graduate of St. Peter's Academy in Saratoga Springs and later the Albany Business College, Phillips received high awards for his wartime service; among them, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with eleven oak leaf dusters, the European, African and Mediterranean Theater Campaign Medal and a Presidential Unit Citation. After his service in the U.S. Army Air Force, Phillips returned home to a career with the finance department and played a pivotal role in the lives of his family and fellow residents. He was a member of the American Legion post 7o, the VFW Post 420, the Knights of Columbus, the Saratoga Springs Elks Club, the Old Guard Association and the Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick. Phillips also coached the many team sports of his four sons and two daughters, a family that has now grown to include 12 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Bill sued in 1998, three years after his wife Marian "Pete" Phillips passed away.

Phillips was remembered and praised for his humor, good spirit and the ability to compute numbers before the era of computers or calculators.

"Bill had a great mind for figures, and as a third generation city resident, he was part of life in . Saratoga Springs," said Anthony J. "Skip" Scirocco, City of Saratoga Springs Supervisor. "On behalf of all his friends, we dedicate this day to him."

"I remember Bill as a person to whom I paid my property taxes for many years," said Eugene Corsale, member of the Honor-a--Deceased Veterans Committee, "I also remember him as an athlete, as a fair referee, -as a businessman, as a civil servant, as a good guy to know."

Against the backdrop of a somber rendition of "Taps," and "Amazing Grace" played by bag. pipe, an American flag sown in Washington D.C., was hoisted on the flagpole to fly for 3o days outside the county offices before being presented to Bib's family.

Those gathered for the ceremony outside the Saratoga County Municipal Center in Ballston Spa included sister Helen Phillips, daughters Mary Lynn Cimon of Valatie and Carol Magrath of Massachusetts, and sons Mark T. Phillips of Saratoga Springs and Michael Phillips of Wilton. Son J. Peter Phillips of Wilton was not able to attend. Son William Phillips passed away in 1995.

Bill's family said the proclamations and citations given in their father's memory would be added to their collection of wartime souvenirs marling his bravery and valor.

"Some of his navigation guides and books are already in the air and space museum in Tucson," said Mark Phillips. One more personal items we'll hold onto forever. This ceremony would have meant a tot to our dad, and when I. look around at all his friends here today, all his fellow servicemen, it strikes me they all did the same to serve their country." I

"Amiable was the perfect word for our dad," said Carol Magrath. We always had extra people around the dinner table. We miss him very much."

7th June 44 033-A Folligny M/Y
2nd Lt. J.O Disse, Pilot; 2nd Lt. W.C. Haley, Co-Pilot; 2nd Lt. W.A Phillips, Bombardier; S/S J. Jacobs, Gunner; S/S C.E. Olsen, Gunner; S/S A.E. Bock, Gunner.

10th June 969-S Foret des Bairds au de Corisy TC
Disse; Haley; Phillips; Jacobs; Olsen; Bock.

11 th June 033-A Torigni-sur-Vire RJ
Disse; Haley; Phillips; Jacobs; Olsen; Bock.

21st June 033-A Cormette noball early return no credit
Disse; Phillips; Jacobs; Olsen; Bock.

25th June 090-M Foret de Senonches FD
Disse; Haley; Phillips; Jacobs; Olsen; Bock.

18th July 018-C Demouville defended area D
Disse; Haley; Phillips; Jacobs; Olsen; Bock.

21st July 787-K Foret de Conches FD
Disse; Haley; Phillips; Jacobs; Olsen; Bock.

30th July 018-C St Martin des Besaces DA
Disse; Haley; Phillips; Jacobs; Olsen; Bock.

9-10 Aug 281-D Caudebec en Caux AD night mission
Disse; Haley; Phillips; Jacobs; Olsen; Bock.

13-14 August 033-A Foret de Halouse bivouac night mission
Disse; Haley; Phillips; Jacobs; Olsen; Bock.

14-15 August 018-C Marseilles en Beauvaisis FD night mission
Disse; Haley; Phillips; Jacobs; Olsen; Bock.

15th August 090-M Pont Anthou weather abort
Disse; Haley; Phillips; Jacobs; Olsen; Bock.

16th August 787-K Neuvy-sur-Loire BR
Disse; Haley; Phillips; Jacobs; Olsen; Bock.

28th August 018-C Querrieu MD
Disse; Haley; Phillips; Jacobs; Olsen; Bock; Sgt. W.L Reidy.

20th Sept 708-B Ubach SIP
Lt. W.B. Macken; Lt E.T. Silverman J.; Phillips; 2nd Lt. E.T. Muszynski; S/S N.C. Killiano; S/S E.A. Farrel; S/S R.O Malarkey.

27th Sept 801-J Foret de Parroy TC no attack weather
Disse; Haley; Phillips; Jacobs; Olsen; Bock.

5th Dec 538-T Dulmen FD
Macken; Muszynski; Silverman; Phillips; Lt. P.R. Watson; Spake; Hammel; Malarkey.

25th Dec 813-P Nonnweiler RR BR
Macken; Lt. J.C. Anderton; Silverman; Spake; S/S A.L. Walton; Malarkey.

29th Dec 408-0 Keuchingen RD BR
Macken; Silverman; Lt. C.J. Knowles; Phillips; Spake; T/S John O'Malley; Malarkey; Muszynski; Morrison.

9th Jan 45 408-0 Ahrweiler overpass
Macken; Silverman; Phillips; Spake; T/S J.B. Alexander; Malarkey; Anderton; Morrison.

13th Jan 375-G St Vith CC
Lt. D.L. Knight; Lt. O.C. Gafferty; V.D. Salisbury; Phillips; T/S L.A. Bothe; S/S R.J. Ferguson; S/S P. Kudriavetz.

16th Jan 408-0 Keilbrug Mt. repair centre
Macken; Silverman; Lt. J. Lazar; Phillips; Spake; Alexander; S/S C.M Allen Anderton.

25th Jan 538-T Sinzig RR BR
Capt. F.N. Nichols; Lt. A.M. Wray; Capt Phillips; S/S L.A. Brauhong; T/S R.J Jones; S/S D.C Brown Anderton.

28th Jan 408-0 Sinzig RR BR
Macken; Silverman; L. Bird; Phillips; Spake; Jones; Malarkey; Anderton.

29th Jan 408-0 Rheinbach Supply & Comm centre
Macken; Silverman; Phillips; Spake; Jones; Malarkey; 2nd Lt. S.M. Bone; Bird.

3rd Feb 408-0 Berg Gladbach MA
Macken; Lt. Paul Watson; Phillips; Spake; Jones; Malarkey; Anderton.

6th Feb 408-0 Berg Gladbach MT & AFV centre
Lt. H.C. Trostle; 2nd Lt. B.M Rowe; Phillips; T/S L.A Rothe; S/S H.E. Robert; S/S R.W. Nydirk.

7th Feb unreadable Lippe RR sidings
Unreadable; Phillips; M. Hill; Robert; Nydirk; Unreadable.

8th Feb 969-S Materborn DA
Capt D.L Knight; Phillips; Rothe; Pvt. R.J. Ferguson; S/S P Kuorlavetz; Salisbury.

11th Feb 375-G Modrath M/Y
Knight; Phillips; S/S J.N. Knight; Ferguson; Kuorlavetz; Salisbury.

14th Feb 842-W Xanten Comm centre
Capt C.W. Duplissy; 2.Lt M.J. Robershotte; Phillips; Nocnocke; J.G O'Mallet; Henry W. Allen.

24th Feb 842-W Rheindahlen CC
Knight; Phillips; Knight; S/S V.J. O'Neal; S/S J.A Reynoldsa; Col. J.S. Hughes.

28th Feb 538-T Uluyn RD JT.
Knight; Phillips; Skrom; Ferguson; Kuorlavetz; Salisbury.

2nd Mar 452-C Eller RR BR
Knight; Phillips; S/S H.W. Williams; Ferguson; Kuorlavetz; Salisbury.

5th Mar 375-G Altenhundem M/Y
Knight; Phillips; Williams; Ferguson; Kuolavetz; Salisbury.

11th Mar 708-B Nidda A/D
Capt J.O Disse; Phillips; Jacobs; Olsen; Bock; C.J Rothschild; Lt. W.J. Cutting.

12th Mar 408-0 Arnsberg M/Y
Disse; Phillips; Jacobs; Olsen; Bock; F/O C.W. Cummings; Cutting

19th Mar 538-T Nassau RJ
Disse; Phillips; Jacobs; Olsen; Bock; Cummings; Cutting.

20th Mar 538-T Geisecke M/Y
Disse; Phillips; Jacobs; Olsen; Bock; F/O P.C. Stiles; 2nd Lt. C.J Rothschild.

22nd Mar. 452-C Schermbeck RJ
Disse; Phillips; Jacobs; Olsen; Bock; 2nd Lt. R.N. Morris; Cutting; S/S J.M Stewart.

23rd Mar 538-T Dinslaken RJ
Lt. T.P Forster; Phillips; S/S W.I Nagler; T/S J.G Millen; S/S S.C. Rainey; 2nd Lt. V.R. Simline; Lt. D.E. Johnson