Memorial

More information

2nd Lt Burton M. Phillipson graduated from Lake View High School in 1938 and attended the University of Chicago for one year.

He enlisted in Randolph Field, Texas on 22 July 1942.

"I was one of four passengers who crossed the Rhine river near Wesel, Germany 24 March 1945. The glider was piloted by a 2d Lieutenant referred to by the Co-pilot as Phil. The Co-pilot was a Flight Officer who was called Tommie by the Pilot.

We landed in the designated landing zone and encountered no flak, small arms fire, enemy aircraft or anti-aircraft fire.

When we left the glider we all hit the ground. About 20 or 30 seconds later they (the Germans) started hitting our glider with 38mm shells. The first one lit infront of the pilot and killed him immediately. The top of his head was blown off. I was within a few feet of him and he was unmistakably killed. After the shell hit he was beyond recognition. The Co-pilot was than hit with small arms fire, and also killed. The next shell hit our jeep tearing the back wheel up and the jeep fell through the floor of the glider. The next shell knocked the wing of the glider. Then everything seamed to quiet down and all passengers of the glider went to the assembly area, leaving the bodies of the Pilot and Co-pilot behind.

The next day another passenger, Pfc Earl H. Anderson, and I went back to the glider to secure the jeep that was in it and both bodies were still in the vicinity of the glider. We left them there and that is the last I saw of them."

Statement from:
William D. Ulskafer, Cpl
AT Company
194th Glider Infantry