Reflections of a Gold Star Mom
“Seventeen years later, I can talk….”
On April 9, 2004, at approximately 13:30, outside of Ar Ramadai, Iraq, Private First Class Phelps and his unit were providing convoy escort for Brigadier General John F. Kelly when they came under small arms fire.
Despite being wounded, Phelps refused to be evacuated and manned his machine gun to cover the evacuation of his convoy. Upon withdrawal, he sustained a fatal wound to his head.
Corpsman Chad Peabody and Sergeant James Cooper were with him. Phelps was 19 years old.