Phillip Isaac Neel was born in Vicenza, Italy, the son of Colonel LeRoy and Kathy Neel and the second oldest of six children. Phil enlisted out of high school, serving as a “Sky Soldier” in the 173rd Airborne Brigade. He had already deployed to Kosovo and earned his airborne wings and Expert Infantryman Badge by the time he arrived at the UMSA Prep School.
Phil’s strong will to never accept defeat was evident from childhood. According to his dad, he “grew up an unpretentious, non-descript, unassuming American kid who displayed no obvious special gifts or talents. He was sickly as a baby, put back in first grade and got cut from his first soccer team.” And yet, he persevered and thrived at every obstacle. When his recruiter told him he could not be an infantryman in Italy, he left until they came back and gave him what he wanted. His resolute character had a stubbornness to never give up; if Phil wanted to do something then nothing could stop him.
Phil lived each day at the Academy with a quiet humility that inspired his classmates and leaders. He helped his fellow prepsters every day, and during Beast Barracks he taught his platoon members to shine their shoes, usually shining one shoe while his buddy shined the other. He took every training event seriously. On one mission during summer training, when told to treat the scenario as realistically as possible, he hog-tied the opposing force and dragged them under a nearby tree. Everyone was in awe of his quiet, confident professionalism, though he never acknowledged it, simply expressing his joy of service with a nonchalant grin.
Phil’s constant optimism was infectious, making those around him feel better. Even when he struggled to pass classes, he found time to mentor others. Phil’s ability to persevere through challenges was stronger than most, and he was always placing the needs of others above his own. In his own quiet and selfless way, Phil led those who led him, teaching what being a “real” soldier was.
Phil lived a life of faith. He never doubted where he came from or what his purpose was on this Earth. This faith was the bedrock of his character, which never wavered. While one could easily be led astray among a rambunctious group of paratroopers in Italy, Phil maintained his discipline. He was active in Officer Christian Fellowship and took extra time to connect his faith with others. He readily shared his faith in Jesus Christ and demonstrated the solid spiritual leadership he possessed. Quiet, selfless, caring and steady—Phil tacitly shared God’s word with many of his classmates, just by being himself.
During his plebe year, Phil joined the Parachute Team. He practiced six times a week and spent spring breaks, summers, and even Christmases with the team. This second family looked to Phil as their older brother, just as his siblings back in Fredericksburg did. He loved jumping out of aircraft and loved telling others about it.
Phil was a great teammate in whatever he did. He completed Cadet Troop Leader Training in Germany, keeping his friends out of trouble across the continent (in the Netherlands, especially). He did the same during graduation leave down in Costa Rica.
He always put in the extra effort when no one was looking. Quite a few times Phil would be staying at a classmate’s home; and, while everyone else was sleeping in, the classmate’s parents would find Phil awake, his face in a textbook or the Bible.
Phil possessed a wry humor. The day before graduation, at a practice formation, Phil decided to lighten the mood. He replaced the tall, black plumes of his tarbucket with a big fake crow and marched with it for half an hour, deadpan. “Just motivating the troops, sir,” Cadet Neel explained when a TAC officer questioned him afterward.
Following graduation, Phil commissioned into the Infantry and completed the Infantry Officer Basic Course at Fort Benning, GA. He graduated Ranger School, and though he recycled every phase he continued to display that strength that had gotten him through West Point. He was then assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, TX. He was deployed to Iraq in October 2006. On April 8, 2007, Phil’s platoon came in contact with enemy forces using hand grenades. Phil was mortally wounded in the engagement, continuing to direct his men until his body could no longer sustain him.
Phil had told his family before he left for Iraq, “I pray every day for the souls of my men, because I know where I’m going, and I’m not sure they do.” His last email was typical Phil: “I hope you are all staying strong, because I know you are all being challenged by the things of this world. But it’s how you deal with stuff that makes you who you are. Take care!”
We will miss your smile, your fortitude, your friendship, and most of all your steadfast faith. Blue skies, Well Done; Be Thou at Peace!
— Classmates and Teammates