Richard William Phillips was born June 6, 1908, in Springfield, Illinois. He was the son of James Matthew and Hattie Pharris Phillips. He married Clara Josephine Schafer in 1935 in Springfield, Illinois. Phillips was a lifelong resident of Springfield and retired as a farmer. He was a U.S. Army veteran, serving in World War II. During his time in the war, Phillips was a member of the 556th Engineer Heavy Ponton Battalion where he helped build bridges for heavy ponton equipment. Phillips earned the Victory Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon with three Bronze Battle Stars, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon, a Bronze Star and a Good Conduct Medal. He was a member of St. Agnes Catholic Church and Elks Lodge in Springfield.
This collection contains personal items that belonged to Richard William Phillips during his time serving in World War II. The collection includes photographs, newspaper clippings, war ration books, special/general orders, war savings bond application forms, earning and pay records, greeting cards, service request forms, work sheets, programs, and notes. The collection also contains a post card, a service statement, a list of members of the 556th Engineer Heavy Ponton Battalion Company “A” and Company “B”, a veteran guidebook, Phillip’s Certificate of Imperium Neptuni Regis, a book, and a ticket.