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Honoring American TroopsMedal of Honor Archive

Private · U.S. Marine Corps Reserve

Wesley P. Phelps

Private Wesley P. Phelps, Marine Corps, received the Medal of Honor posthumously for actions on October 4, 1944 at Peleliu Island, Palau Islands during World War II.

World War II October 4, 1944Posthumous

Serving as a Marine in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, Private Wesley P. Phelps was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for his actions on October 4, 1944 at Peleliu Island, Palau Islands during World War II. At the time he was serving with 3d Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division. Phelps was 21 years old.

Phelps was killed in the action for which his medal was awarded. One other service member also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on April 26, 1946.

Phelps was born on June 12, 1923 in Neafus, Grayson County, Kentucky. His Medal of Honor is credited to Kentucky. He is buried at Rosine Cemetery in Rosine, Kentucky.

Phelps is one of 474 Medal of Honor recipients from World War II and one of 44 credited to Kentucky.

★ Gave Their Lives

Official Medal of Honor citation

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 hand grenade 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.

Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.

Wounds and death in action

What the citation records about his wounds:

Stationed with another marine in an advanced position when a Japanese hand grenade 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.
  • Killed in action during the act for which the medal was awarded (October 4, 1944).
  • Age at death: 21
  • Resting place: Rosine Cemetery

Other decorations and honors

Besides the Medal of Honor, Wesley P. Phelps received:

Purple Heart

Source: Wikidata. Gold chips link to our guide to that decoration.

Battles and campaigns

Also served in: World War II.

Places

  • Born: Butler County — map
  • Died: Peleliu — map

Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Kentucky →

Timeline

  1. June 12, 1923
    Born in Neafus, Grayson County, Kentucky
  2. October 4, 1944
    Act of valor — Peleliu Island, Palau Islands
    Age 21. 3d Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division Killed in action.
  3. April 26, 1946
    Medal of Honor presented posthumously
  4. Resting place
    Rosine Cemetery
    Rosine, Kentucky

Biography

Wesley P. Phelps (June 12, 1923 – October 4, 1944) was a United States Marine who posthumously received the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions and sacrifice of life during the World War II Battle of Peleliu.

From the Wikipedia article “Wesley Phelps”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →

Also honored for actions on October 4, 1944

Manuel V. Mendoza Staff Sergeant · Army World War II · 1944 ✦

More World War II recipients from Kentucky

JS Junior James Spurrier Staff Sergeant · Army World War II · 1944 Luther Skaggs Jr. Private First Class · Marine Corps World War II · 1944 GC Garlin Murl Conner First Lieutenant · Army World War II · 1945 ✦ Richard Earl Bush Corporal · Marine Corps World War II · 1945 John C. Squires Sergeant · Army World War II · 1944 ✦ MC Morris E. Crain Technical Sergeant · Army World War II · 1945 ✦
Sources. Service and award details compiled from the recipient record of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Wikidata and Wikipedia. The narrative summary is generated from these records. Spotted an error? Send a correction.