Fort George G. Meade: The First 100 Years

He Modeled Them All
The acronym LDRSHIP encompasses the Seven Core
Army Values—loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service,
honor, integrity and personal courage. The Fort Meade
Museum’s Army Values web site chose Capt. Dean K.
Phillips to model integrity. But as both a soldier and an
advocate for fellow veterans, Capt. Phillips truly modeled
all seven values.
Phillips had just graduated from Ohio University
in 1967 when he received a draft notice. Instead of
entering law school, which would both extend his student
deferment and permit him to fulfill his military obligation
as an officer, he enlisted in the Army. Phillips refused a
commission “out of a desire to serve in the ranks.” After
completing the airborne, air assault, and Ranger courses,
he deployed to Vietnam with 3 rd Brigade, 101 st Airborne
Division in November 1967.
In Vietnam, Phillips served with the brigade’s longrange
reconnaissance platoon and found himself in
several intense, bloody fights. In one combat action, he
was “the sole survivor, having been shot and left for
dead by the North Vietnamese.” During his November
1967-November 1968 tour, he was awarded two Silver
Star Medals, two Bronze Star Medals, a Purple Heart, an
Air Medal and an Army Commendation Medal.
On returning to civilian life, Phillips earned a law degree
at the University of Denver. His Vietnam experiences had
left him convinced that the war “was being fought by men
at the bottom of the nation’s socio-economic ladder.”
He was determined that they would attain full veteran’s
benefits, and worked tirelessly as an advocate of veteran
rights in Colorado.
Phillips’ passion and commitment soon brought national
recognition. In 1975 he became chairman of the board
of the National Association of Concerned Veterans,
and in the following year was named “Outstanding
Young Man of America” by the U.S. Jaycees. In 1977 he
was appointed to the Veterans Administration office of
general counsel in Washington, D.C., becoming special
assistant to the administrator in 1981. As VA liaison with
veteran’s organizations, Phillips crafted policies addressing
benefits, veteran’s preference and upgrading discharges.
THE SIXTIES AND VIETNAM
By Merle T. Cole
His office door carried a “Fasten Seat Belts” sign to
forewarn visitors of his passionate advocacy. He provided
frequent congressional testimony, worked to establish the
Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and was active in groups
ranging from Vietnam Veterans Against the War to the
Disabled American Veterans. In 1984 he left the VA to
serve as national judge advocate of the Military Order
of the Purple Heart. His extensive work on behalf of
veterans was later eulogized in the Congressional Record.
Although Phillips strongly opposed what he saw as
inequities in selective service laws, and believed the
country’s involvement in Vietnam a mistake, he was a
patriot who continued to believe in the importance of
military service. In 1980 he received a commission as
captain of Infantry in the U.S. Army Reserve, and in
January 1981 joined the 11th Special Forces Group
(Airborne) at Fort Meade.
Paratroopers need a drop zone to maintain their
parachuting proficiency. DZs initially available to Meade
troopers either closed or were threatening to close. There
were few suitable areas within reservation boundaries
because the post was small. Much otherwise usable
acreage was consumed by designated impact areas or
blocked by power lines. But eventually a natural clearing
in Training Area W, just southwest of Tipton Army Air
Field was chosen and approved by the post commander.
On June 28, 1980, members of the Centurion Sky Diving
Team, mostly 11th SFGA troopers, made the first jump
onto the new DZ.
Proximity to the airport was allowed short turn-around
times and maximum use of helicopters in supporting
jump missions. Army helicopters were necessary because
the DZ was too short for static line jumping from fasterflying
Air Force troop carriers. The latter were also more
likely to interfere with nearby Baltimore-Washington
International Airport airspace.
On Sept. 1, 1982, Capt. Phillips was appointed
commanding officer of the 11th Signal Company. This
unit was “suffering from poor discipline, low morale and
a lack of motivation. Through his dynamic leadership,
personal example, job knowledge and desire to excel
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