Following graduation, Phil served in USS Moale (DD-693) for one year.  Phil was lost when his F9F Panther jet crashed during his final phase of advanced flight training at NAS Kingsville, Texas.

Phil came from a proud Navy family.  His Dad served as a mustang LCDR in the Supply Corps.  Phil’s brothers are both USNA graduates: John in ’55, and George in ’59.  Phil was the only undefeated member of the wrestling team his First Class year.  He stood first in the Physical Training course.  Selected by “Seventeen” magazine to represent Naval Academy midshipmen, Phil was featured on the front page in his Midshipman uniform. 

Phil’s remains were escorted home by classmate Duane Barnhart, who was in advanced flight training with Phil.  He is buried with his parents in the Golden Gate National Cemetery in San Bruno CA, South of San Francisco.  Phil is survived by his brother George, sister Alice, sister-in-law Roberta (brother John’s widow), twelve nieces and nephews, and nineteen grand nieces and nephews.