Private Byron Pershing Phillips, #34166214, was a World War II casualty from Lauderdale County, Alabama.

Byron was born on November 30, 1919. He was the son of Byron P. Phillis, Sr., and Lavera (Mitchell) Phillips. The family lived in Center Star, Alabama in the 1920 census, where Byron's father operated a farm. The couple had three daughters and six sons. The census records for 1930 and 1940 were not found. Sadly, Byron's father died in 1939.

Byron was employed as a concrete finisher helper for the F. H. Morrow Company when he registered for the draft on July 1, 1941. Physically, Byron was 5'7” tall and weighed 130 lbs. He enlisted in the Parachute Infantry at Ft. McClellan on January 20, 1942.

According to his headstone application, Private Phillips was assigned to Company H, 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment, 2nd Army, at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Private Phillips died of an illness at Fort Bragg on August 31, 1943. He was 23 years old. Private Phillips had been assigned to Fort Bragg for 11 months prior to his death.

Private Phillips was buried in Center Star Cemetery in Lauderdale County, Alabama. Unfortunately, no obituary was found. His mother, Lavera, died in 1946. His brother, Jimmie, served in the Field Artillery during World War II.

Private Phillips was one of 129 men from Lauderdale County who gave their lives in the service of their country. He will not be forgotten.

This story is part of the Stories Behind the Stars project (see www.storiesbehindthestars.org**). This is a national effort of volunteers to write the stories of all 400,000+ of the US WWII fallen here on Fold3. Can you help write these stories?

If you noticed anything I missed in this profile, please go to the end of this story and see “Added by” to find my contact information.

SBTSProject/Alabama/Lauderdale

Resources:

1920 United States Federal Census
U.S., Headstone Applications for Military Veterans, 1861-1985
U.S., Find a Grave Index, 1600s-Current
U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947
North Carolina, U.S. Death Certificates, 1909-1976
U.S., World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946

Phillips, Byron P