The 35th Infantry Regiment Association salutes our fallen brother, MSG Prentiss Edward Mc Phate, RA24882672, who died in the service of his country on June 2nd, 1953 in North Korea. The cause of death was listed as KIA. At the time of his death Prentiss was 20 years of age. He was from McNair, Mississippi. Prentiss' Military Occupation Specialty was 1745-Light Weapons Infantry Leader.

The decorations earned by MSG Prentiss Edward Mc Phate include: the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Distinguished Service Cross, the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Korea Service Medal, and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.

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Prentiss entered the service January 1951.

His DSC citation:

Citation:
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Prentiss E. McPhate (RA24882672), Master Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with an Infantry Company of the 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. Master Sergeant McPhate distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Tohwa-Dong, Korea, on 2 June 1953. On that date, Sergeant McPhate led a combat patrol into enemy-held territory to set up an ambush on a hill position. Upon arrival at the scene, Sergeant McPhate deployed the men to the best possible advantage and moved among them issuing instructions. When two enemy soldiers were seen approaching the position, the patrol opened fire. A short time, a numerically superior hostile force of hostile troops moved in and completely overran the position. Throughout the action, Sergeant McPhate maintained complete control over his men, directing their fire and shouting words of encouragement. Realizing that the enemy held the advantage through sheer weight of numbers, Sergeant McPhate ordered his comrades to withdraw while he remained completely exposed to an intense barrage of grenades, automatic weapons, and mortar fire to cover them. When last seen, he was firing his carbine into the enemy ranks.
Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 638 (July 7, 1953)
Home Town: Jefferson, Mississippi

BURIAL LOCATION

MCNAIR CEMETERY, MCNAIR, MS