Frederick E. Phillips Was Veteran of U.S. Army

Frederick Edward Phillips of Oak Bluffs died unexpectedly on Saturday, July 24, at the Martha's Vineyard Hospital. He was the husband of 34 years of Helen M. (Williams) Phillips.

Mr. Phillips was born in Boston on Nov. 7, 1935, the son of Alonzo Phillips and Blanche Jenkens. He was a 1954 graduate of Boston Trade High School. He went on to Suffolk University from 1955 to 1957.

In 1958 he enlisted in the U.S. Army and began a 20-year career. He was stationed in Bramburg, Germany, with the 34th Artillery Squadron. Mr. Phillips spent time in Korea and Vietnam and received the Vietnam service medal, the Vietnam cross of gallantry with palm, the Vietnam campaign medal with 60 device and the meritorious medal along with the Army commendation medal with two oak leaf clusters, the National defense service medal and good conduct medal the first through fourth awards.

For the last 10 years of his service, he was recruited into military intelligence for the defense investigative services command and was a counter-intelligence officer. He retired from the Army with the rank chief warrant officer second grade in 1978.

He returned home to Boston and worked as head of security for Emerson Hospital in Concord for 10 years and then for chief of police at Mount Ida College in Newton.

Mr. Phillips and family summered on the Vineyard for 20 years and became permanent residents of Oak Bluffs in 1996. He was a past commander from 1992 to 1993 and quartermaster of the VFW Post 9261 in Oak Bluffs, a member of the Elk's Lodge, life member of the Kappa-Alpha-Psi fraternity and an honorary member of the Portuguese-American Club.

He is survived by his wife, Helen and a son, Edward F. Phillips and his wife, Nicole, of Bridgewater and their children, Dakota and Chiara; a sister in law, Ester Graves, and a nephew, Daryell Williams, both of Indianapolis, Ind.

Fred leaves a host of friends on the mainland and on the Vineyard. He will be missed.

A graveside service for the interment of cremains will be held in the Oak Grove Cemetery, Pacific avenue, Oak Bluffs on Wednesday, August 4, at 10 a.m. officiated by the Rev. Donnell O'Flynn. Military honors are provided by the U.S. Army assisted by the veterans of Martha's Vineyard. Donations may be made in his memory to the VFW, P.O. Box 1437, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568. Arrangements are under the care of the Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home in Oak Bluffs. Visit www.ccgfuneralhome.com for online guest book and directions.