Philip McCutcheon Armstrong was a 1953 graduate of the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland. His service included tours in USS Betelgeuse AKA-260 and USS Liberty AGTR-5 as the ship's executive officer. He was killed in the Israeli attack on USS Liberty when he was hit with aircraft fire while attempting to jettison flaming drums of gasoline. He was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for this heroic act. Memorials: Memorial stone at Military & Space Museum, Frankenmuth, Michigan. Memorial display highlighting Philp Armstrong, Frankenmuth, Michigan. The USS Betelgeuse Association dedicated a memorial to Phil Armstrong at Greater Charleston (SC) Memorial Park on 24 or 25 April, 2009, consisting of an 8 foot Japanese Maple and plaque. The dedication was attended by members of the Armstrong family and representatives of the USS Liberty Veterans Association. Memorial nameplates for Phil Armstrong and Steve Toth at Hall of Heroes, U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis.

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