Brigadier General Eugene Phillips Honored Tuesday

Phillips stands with Royston Mayor David Jordan and City Council during award presentation Tuesday night.

Phillips stands with Royston Mayor David Jordan and City Council during award presentation Tuesday night.

A day of honors and accolades for one of Franklin County’s oldest, and most distinguished citizens.

U.S. Army Brigadier General Eugene Phillips, retired, was feted Tuesday by the Royston Rotary Club and the City of Royston for his years of service to his country and his community.

At their regular city council meeting Tuesday night,  Royston Mayor David Jordan unveiled a new service award that Jordan said reflects Phillips’ lifelong contribution to his community and to his country.

“It’s really hard to express the appreciation the City of Royston has for your service to your country and the City,” Jordan said. “The City Council and I have commissioned an award. It’s the General Eugene Phillips Public Service Award.  General Phillips, we want to thank you for  your years of service and dedication.”

The black marble award stands about two feet tall and carries a portrait of the General during his service in World War II.

In presenting the award to Phillips, Jordan said Phillips is the first of many Royston City employees who will receive the award every year.

“This is dedicated to those City of Royston employees who have dedicated their lives to excellence in public service,” Jordan explained. “What we want to do is as the years progress is, we’re going to give this award to people in your name.”

Born on a farm in the Sandy Cross Community, Phillips attended the University of Georgia on a scholarship in 1935.

He was later commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Horse Calvary ROTC and thus began an illustrious military career that included Military Attache in Paris and Rangoon,  aide to General George Patton during World War II and Chief of Public Information during the Nuremburg War Trials.

Phillips holds the U.S. Legion of Merit medal and the French Croix de Guere for his service during World War II.

He retired from the Army in 1977 and returned to his home town in 1983.

In addition to his distinguished military career, Phillips has served as Royston’s first City Manager from 1990 to 1992, and during his retirement served in the Royston Rotary, the Boy Scouts, the Franklin Historical Society and the Franklin County and Royston Public Library boards, to name a few.

In 2008, he was named the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year.