Philip Kenneth Edward Curtis was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Details

He was a 24 year old, Lieutenant in The Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry attached 1st Bn., The Gloucestershire Regiment during the Korean War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross.

On 22/23 April 1951 near the Imjin River, Korea, during a heavy enemy attack, No. 1 platoon under the command of Lieutenant Curtis, was ordered to carry out a counter-attack which was initially successful, but was eventuallv held up by heavy fire and grenades. The lieutenant then ordered some of his men to give covering fire while he himself rushed the main position of resistance. In this charge he was severely wounded but he insisted on making a second attempt. While making another desperate charge he was killed when within a few yards of his objective.

Further information

The medal

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry Museum (Bodmin, Cornwall, England).

Reference

• The Last Eleven? (Mark Adkin, 1991)
• Monuments To Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
• The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)

See also

• Gloster Hill
• Battle of the Imjin River
• Korean War

External links

• Lieutenant Philip Curtis (detailed account of the Battle of the Imjin River)

This page has been migrated from the Victoria Cross Reference with permission.