1stLt. Brian M. McPhillips, U.S.M.C (KIA)

Pembroke Marine is killed in firefight, US says

By Douglas Belkin, Globe Staff, 4/8/2003

PEMBROKE -- A Marine who graduated from Boston College High School and Providence College is the latest Massachusetts casualty of the war in Iraq, his family said yesterday.

First Lieutenant Brian M. McPhillips, 25, of Pembroke, was killed during a firefight in central Iraq, according to the Pentagon's website. He was assigned to the Second Tank Battalion, Second Marine Division, based at Camp Lejeune, N.C.

McPhillips was remembered by a college professor yesterday as an intelligent young man who aspired to military service.

''He was a good kid with a lot of ambition,'' said Paul Maloney, a finance professor at Providence College. ''He was very personable, really bright, and I remember he was really looking forward to active duty. The military really kind of defined who he was. It's just a shame.''

Friends said that McPhillips had been focused on joining the military since he was an adolescent. At BC High, he was remembered as a tenacious racquetball player and a tall, slender student who founded the school's Irish Culture club.

'There are just some people who have a quiet perseverance and tranquillity that make us feel we can trust them,'' said the school's president, William J. Kemeza. ''He was that kind of young man.''

McPhillips was the first BC High student to die in military service since 1989, a school spokesman said.

After McPhillips graduated from BC High in 1996, he enrolled at Providence College, where he graduated in 2000 with a degree in finance, a school spokesman said yesterday. For his senior project, McPhillips started an Internet business selling old military supplies such as knives, patches, and uniforms, Maloney said.

Pembroke resident Julie Caruso, who leads a support group for local military families, said she was notified of McPhillips's death Sunday. His parents, David and Julie, had been attending support group meetings for about seven months, Caruso said. ''You could tell they were worried,'' she said, ''but they were so proud of their son.''

The family released a statement yesterday saying: ''First Lieutenant Brian McPhillips, USMC, loved his family dearly and served his country with unwavering pride. At this difficult time, we ask for your prayers, specifically for our family, his platoon, for all servicemen and women, and in general for world peace.''

McPhillips was the fourth soldier with ties to Massachusetts reported killed in Iraq.

Specialist Daniel Francis J. Cunningham, 33, was one of three soldiers who died when their vehicle fell into a ravine, according to the Department of Defense. Cunningham was assigned to the 41st Field Artillery Regiment, based in Fort Stewart, Ga.

Cunningham's wife and son live in Revere, and his mother lives in Lewiston, Maine, according to Dave Lackey, spokesman for Senator Olympia J. Snowe, Republican of Maine.

Cunningham had been in the Middle East since February, his brother said, and had described his surroundings to their mother in a letter dated March 8, before the fighting broke out.

''He wanted some Pepsi, baby wipes, and cigarettes,'' James Cunningham said. ''He just said it was hot. He went into some details about the bugs and lizards they have over there. His spirits were up, talking about sand in his ears and how he had enough to build a palace.''

Army Specialist Matthew Boule, 22, of Dracut, was the first military casualty of the Iraq war from the Bay State. Boule, who served with the Army's Third Infantry Division, was one of six soldiers who died in the crash of an Army Black Hawk helicopter during a firefight in Iraq April 2.

US Marine Captain Benjamin Sammis, 29, who grew up in Rehoboth, was a Cobra helicopter pilot stationed at Camp Pendleton, Calif. He was killed in action over Iraq early Saturday.

Globe staff correspondent Emily Shartin contributed to this report. Material from Associated Press was also used.

This story ran on page A31 of the Boston Globe on 4/8/20