TO SAN ANTONIO.
Aviation Cadet Jim Phillips has been transferred from Stillwater, Okla., to San Antonio, Texas, where he will take pre-flight training with the army air corps. His new address: AC James C. Phillips, Class 45A, Grp. O, Sqdr 232, AAFPS, SAACC, San Antonio, Texas.
Source: Daily Freeman Journal, May 2, 1944
James Clayton Phillips was born Aug. 19, 1924 to James Dill and Bertha Phillips. He died Oct. 22, 1968 and is buried in Graceland Cemetery, Webster City, IA.
Major Phillips served in World War II with the Army Air Corps.
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MAJOR PHILLIPS DIES IN PLANE CRASH
USAF Vet Killed in Florida
Major James C. Phillips, 44, son of Mrs. Ted Ferrell of this city was killed Tuesday in an aerial training mission crash in Florida, according to word received last evening by his mother.
Major Phillips, a former all-state basketball and football player in high school here, was flying in a special strafing-type aircraft when the accident occurred eight miles northwest of Hurlburt Field, Fla. His instructor was also killed in the crash, according to the telegram received here by Mrs. Ferrell from Col. Robert W. Gates, USAF commander.
According to an Associated Press dispatch from Miami, quoting Air Force officials at Fort Walton Beach, Fla., the pilot killed in the air tragedy was Capt. John K. Stark, 30, of Brazil, Ind.
The Associated Press reported that the plane crashed in a wooded area on the Eglin Air Force base complex during a routine mission. The craft was described as an A1Eplane, and no cause was given for the crash.
Funeral services in Webster City are pending.
Major Phillips and family had visited here this summer after having returned from three years’ duty with the Air Force in Germany. He had joined the Air force in 1943 after having graduated from Webster City high school and had flown many types of aircraft including the latest jets, during his 25 years of service.
He reportedly was due to be assigned to service in South Vietnam at the close of his training mission in Florida and would have left next month for overseas duty. The major was to be retired in December, 1969, following completion of a one-year tour of duty in Vietnam.
Major Phillips was a member of the 1943 Lynx basketball team which was runner-up in the Iowa State Boys Basketball tournament, and played on the outstanding Lynx football teams under the guidance of the late Bob Lamson.
Source: ancestry.com; Daily Freeman Journal, Webster City, IA - Oct. 23, 1968
