SPC Phillip S. Lear

20 December 1989, Panama

Rangers

Specialist Phillip S. Lear of Westminster, South Carolina, died on 20 December 1989 while supporting Operation JUST CAUSE in Panama.

Lear joined the Army in June 1987. He completed Infantry One Station Unit Training, Airborne School, and the Ranger Indoctrination Program, all at Fort Benning, Georgia, after which he was assigned to Company B, 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment at Fort Lewis, Washington. He subsequently graduated from the Ranger Course at Fort Benning.

SPC Lear was mortally wounded by enemy small arms fire after successfully conducting a nighttime airborne infiltration into Panama, He was assigned to Company B, 2nd Ranger Battalion at the time of his death.