Forest H. Phifer, Jr.

Male 1920 - 1943  (23 years)


Personal Information    |    PDF

  • Name Forest H. Phifer 
    Suffix Jr. 
    Born 1920  Tennessee Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Male 
    Died 03 Oct 1943  Morocco Find all individuals with events at this location 
    • National Archives and Records Administration. Register, World War II Dead Interred in American Military Cemeteries on Foreign Soil and World War II and Korea Missing or Lost or Buried at Sea. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration.

      Name: Forest H Phifer
      Inducted From: Tennessee
      Rank: First Lieutenant
      Combat Organization: 564th Bomber Squadron 389th Bomber
      Death Date: 3 Oct 1943
      Monument: North Africa
      Last Known Status: Buried
      U.S. Awards: Air Medal
      Distinguished Flying Cross
    Buried North Africa American Cemetery and Memorial, Carthage, Tunis, Tunisia Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Notes 
    • CENSUS RECORDS

      1930 Census
      Name: Forest Phifer
      Birth Year: abt 1921
      Gender: Male
      Race: White
      Birthplace: Tennessee
      Marital Status: Single
      Relation to Head of House: Son
      Home in 1930: McMinnville, Warren, Tennessee
      Street address: North Chancery Street
      House Number in Cities or Towns: 307
      Attended School: Yes
      Father's Birthplace: Tennessee
      Mother's Birthplace: Tennessee
      Household Members:
      Name Age
      Forest Phifer 39
      Mary Phifer 35
      Gertrude Phifer 16
      Clifford Phifer 14
      James Phifer 12
      Forest Phifer 9
      Sue Phifer less than 1 year

      1940 Census
      Name: Forest Phifer Junior
      Age: 18
      Estimated birth year: abt 1922
      Gender: Male
      Race: White
      Birthplace: Tennessee
      Marital Status: Single
      Relation to Head of House: Son
      Home in 1940: McMinnville, Warren, Tennessee
      Inferred Residence in 1935: McMinnville, Warren, Tennessee
      Residence in 1935: Same House
      Occupation: Clerk, drug store
      Attended School or College: No
      Highest Grade Completed: High School, 4th year
      Hours Worked Week Prior to Census: 60
      Class of Worker: Wage or salary worker in private work
      Weeks Worked in 1939: 52
      Income: $432
      Income Other Sources: No
      Household Members:
      Name Age
      Mary Phifer 44
      Gertrude Phifer 25
      James Phifer 21
      Forest Phifer 18
      Sue Phifer 10
      Virginia Phifer 8

      MILITARY RECORDS

      World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946

      Name: Forest H Phifer
      Birth Year: 1920
      Race: White, citizen (White)
      Nativity State or Country: Tennessee
      State of Residence: Tennessee
      County or City: Knox

      Enlistment Date: 1 Apr 1942
      Enlistment State: Tennessee
      Enlistment City: Camp Forrest
      Branch: Air Corps
      Grade Code: Private

      Source: Civil Life
      Education: 1 year of college
      Civil Occupation: Actors and actresses
      Marital Status: Single, without dependents
      Height: 67 in.
      Weight: 126 lbs.

      ---------------

      From Find A Grave from John Dowdy

      http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=mr&MRid=47791572

      Bombardier 2n/Lt Forest H. Phifer DFC KIA
      Hometown: McMinnville Tenn.
      Squadron: 564th BS 389th Bomb group
      Service# O-734829
      Awards: Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal
      Pilot Captain Edward L. Fowble DFC KIA

      Missing Air Crew Report Details
      USAAF MACR#:
      Date Lost: 4-Oct-43
      Serial Number: 42-40773
      Aircraft Model B-24D
      Aircraft Letter:
      Aircraft Name: I for Item
      Location: Marrakesh Morocco
      Cause: Crew of 14 KIA

      In the aftermath of the Wiener Nuestadt raid 42-40773 was damaged and leaking fuel. Parts were unavailable in Tunisia. The 389th was ordered back to Hethel so Captain Fowble attempted to divert to Morocco to make repairs. Fowble crashed 1 mile short of Marrakesh, in first leg of return to Hethel from Tunis, due to fuel exhaustion with 12 aboard killed, three men were badly injured, two of which later died.

      Lt. Phifer was awarded the "Distinguished Flying Cross" for his valor in " Operation Tidal Wave " one of the most daring raids of WW2. Coming in at tree top level the Sky Scorpions destroy the Steaua Romana oil refinery. The refinery does not produce oil for six months. The 389th earns Presidential Unit Citation and lose six aircraft on this mission.
    Person ID I34821  Master File
    Last Modified 10 Jun 2016 

    Father Forest Phifer,   b. 04 Sep 1890, White Co. TN Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 09 May 1938, Warren Co. TN Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 47 years) 
    Mother Mary Boyd,   b. 12 Aug 1894, Sequatchie Co. TN Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Jan 1980, Nashville, Davidson Co. TN Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 85 years) 
    Married 04 Sep 1912  Warren Co. TN Find all individuals with events at this location 
    • Tennessee State Marriages, 1780-2002. Nashville, TN: Tennessee State Library and Archives. Microfilm.
      Name: Mary L Boyd
      Gender: Female
      Marriage Date: 4 Sep 1912
      Marriage Place: Warren, Tennessee
      Spouse: Forrest Phefer
    Family ID F14427  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart