Michael Joseph Phipps was born July 7th, 1967 in Carbondale, IL and grew up in Steubenville, OH. Michael was the eldest of five, having one sister and three brothers. The young Doctor joined the U.S. Navy to help pay for his schooling and looked forward to serving his country.  After graduation from Ohio State University and the Ohio State Medical School. After a short time in San Diego, LT Michael J. Phipps, M.D., was selected for Flight Surgery training in Pensacola, FL, which ultimately brought the new Flight Surgeon to MCAS Cherry Point, NC. LT. Phipps worked alongside the U.S. Marines in an EA-6B Prowler squadron (VMAQ-1). The Marines and 'Doc' quickly became family, when a training mishap in Yuma, AZ resulted in the death of four highly regarded Marines; including the squadron's two commanding officers. In May 1997, LT Michael J. Phipps, M.D. married Andrea L. Phipps (nee Granger) in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The couple then moved to Maryland, so Dr. Phipps could begin a 4-year orthopaedic surgery residency at the National Naval Medical Center - Bethesda (now Walter Reed National Military Medical Center). Dr. Phipps continued his surgical training with a 1-year spinal reconstructive fellowship at the Twin Cities Spine Center. LCDR Michael J. Phipps, M.D. returned to Bethesda in July 2001 as a spinal trained orthopaedic surgeon until his death on October 16, 2004. LCDR Michael J. Phipps, M.D., was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery (Section 66, Grave 1764). 

Michael was a proud and loving father to his two daughters, Kara Lyn (97) and Meghan Kay (00). Both girls are Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart alumnae. Kara attends will graduate from High Point University, with her B.A. in Special Education and a M.A. in Early Childhood Education ('21). Meghan studies Criminal Justice ('22) at High Point University. Kara and Meghan are blessed to have the opportunity to meet fellow Gold Star families through expeditions and while volunteering for the Wings for Val Foundation and the Travis Manion Foundation. A proud Mom. Andrea keeps herself busy, actively volunteering for Wings for Val Foundation, Travis Manion Foundation, Warrior Canine Connection and Two Top Mountain Adaptive Sports Foundation. -submitted by the family