PVT Phillip Fletcher Simmons was born 20 Mar 1917 in Francisco, North Carolina. He was the 6th of 7 children born to Fletcher Ausborne and Lula (Tucker) Simmons. His father farmed rented land in the Big Creek area and then bought a farm in the Peters Creek area of Stokes County, North Carolina. Phillip only completed 1-year of high school and farmed for his father until about 1941 when he began working as a carpenter. He had married Lillie Irene Clifton in March 1938 and the couple had a son born prematurely in July that same year. Garland Lane Simmons died after only 2-days. The couple had another son in October 1939.
Phillip was drafted in December 1943. After his basic military training he was sent to the European theater and, on 10 Aug 1944, was transferred from the replacement depot to L Company 116th Infantry. PVT Simmons was killed in action just 21-days later on 31 Aug 1944.
PVT Simmons was repatriated in 1949 and re-interred in the Simmons Cemetery in Big Creek, North Carolina.
Lillie re-married in 1948. The couple's surviving son would serve 4-years in the U.S. Air Force. Phillip is today survived by several great-grandchildren and at least 1 great, great-grandchild.
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