Retired Sgt. 1st Class Philip F. Byron, 61 of Killeen of Texas. Byron died January 29, 2005 in Killeen, Texas. He was born May 22, 1943, in Lawrence, Mass. Byron joined the US Army in 1959 and served 21 years with duty in the Vietnam War.
His military awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Cross, the Silver Star Medal with an Oak leaf cluster, Bronze Star Medal with three oak leaf clusters and the “V” device, the Purple Heart with a silver oak leaf cluster, the Meritorious Service Medal, the 34 Air Medal with ‘V” device and the Army Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters and “V” device, the Good Conduct Medal nine times, the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed forces Expeditionary Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze stars, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Ribbon with three bronzes stars, the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with palm, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Expert Infantryman Badge, the Senior Parachute Badge, the Ranger Tab and the Sharpshooter Rifle Badge.
After he retired in 1980 at Fort Hood, Byron worked at Wash and Save Laundry as a repairman.
He is survived by two sons, Mark D. Byron of Brockton, Mass., and James P. Byron of Rutland, VT., two daughters, Michelle Bonia of Bridgewater, Mass., and Rene’e Myers of Taunton, Mass., three brothers, Daniel Byron of Killeen, Francis Byron of Foxboro, Mass., and Kenneth Byron of South Boston, Mass., and six grandchildren. Byron was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Rita Byron and a sister Kathleen Chase.
Burial with military honors will be Tuesday February 22, 2005 at 10 am at the Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne. Arrangements by the Conley Funeral Home, Brockton.