Philip A. Oldham was born in Connecticut on December 15, 1913. He was the son of George C. Oldham and Amelie Oldham. His father was born in India and his mother was born in France. He had one older brother, Peter, and six younger sisters named Faith, Hope, Isabel, Eloise, Irene and Libby.
The family lived at 32 Meadow Place in Rye and were members of the Presbyterian Church. Philip was a Rye High School Graduate, Class of 1932. He served as an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II.
It was in January, 1941, that Lieut. Oldham enlisted 4n the Marine Corps at Philadelphia. Assigned to Parris Island, S. C, for his boot training, he volunteered for service in the Raider Battalion and was sent to Quantico, Va. , for specialized training before going abroad. Closely associated with him at Quantico and in the Southwest Pacific was Captain Edwin Wheeler, of Port Chester.
Lieut. Oldham was a member of the famous First Marine Raider Battalion, known as Edsons Raiders and won his commission through conspicuous courage and leadership.
His citation was given in recognition of the qualities of leadership and bravery during the attack on and Battle of Tulagi, S. I. from 7 to 10 August, 1942, and he was promoted from the rank of sergeant to that of platoon sergeant for his proven competence to handle men under combat conditions. He was also cited for meritorious conduct in action at the Battle for Edson's Ridge on Guadalcanal, where he served for 14 months. His ability as a leader was later rewarded by the granting of a commission.
Philip A. Oldham became a Second Lieutenant of the First Raider Battalion, First Marine Raider Regiment.  The Marine Raiders were elite units established by the United States Marine Corps during World War II to conduct amphibious light infantry warfare, particularly in landing in rubber boats and operating behind the lines.
Edson's Raiders of 1st Marine Raiders Battalion are said to be the first United States special operations forces to form and see combat in World War II. The Battle of Enogai was a battle between United States and Imperial Japanese Army and Navy forces on 10-11 July 1943 during the New Georgia Campaign in the Solomon Islands during the Pacific War.
 In the battle, U. S. Marine Raiders, supported by two United States Army infantry battalions, attacked and destroyed a Japanese garrison guarding the small port of Enogai on the Dragons Peninsula on New Georgia.
At 1100 on 7/9/1943,
Lieutenant Oldham was at the head of the column and sighted Leland Lagoon, turned right, and began cautiously to advance along the ridge toward Enogai. Continuing onward, by about 1500 the column had advanced to within 750 yards of Enogai, still undetected, and the Raiders began to get that indescribably upbeat feeling of an impending complete surprise over the enemy.
Shortly, however, the good feelings vanished, as they heard the chatter of two Japanese light machine guns opening fire on the lead company.
 Second Lieutenant Philip A. Oldhams 3rd Platoon had encountered an enemy strong point comprising a well dug-in rifle platoon and two machine guns. In the first burst of fire, four men were wounded, two critically, and one, Private, first class, Martin Flaum, was killed. Oldham, a veteran of Guadalcanal and one of those commissioned recently, crawled within a few yards of the nest and tossed his grenades. He was killed as he sought to rejoin his men. His feat, however, removed the last serious obstacle to Enogai and the Marines rushed in.
Oldhams Raiders had been well trained and, notwithstanding the loss of their commander and platoon sergeant, reacted like the professionals they were. Quickly deploying to the right and left of the survivors of the point squad, they responded in kind with their rifles and automatic weapons, and soon a steady roar of firing punctuated by the explosions of grenades could be heard from both sides as they destroyed the Japanese garrison.
 Philip A. Oldham would be awarded the Silver Star.
The citation follows: "Philip A. Oldham, Second Lieutenant, United States Marine Corps Reserve, for gallantry in action at Enogai, New Georgia, Solomon Island, on 9 July 1943. Rather than call for volunteers to attack three machine guns that were blocking an advance on an enemy position with vicious cross-fire, he crawled forward alone and wiped out one of the guns and its crew. Lieutenant Oldhams bold act drew fire immediately and he was killed by a burst from another gun. his courage and self-sacrifice so infused his men with fierce determination that within a half hour after his death all of the guns retarding the advance had been knocked out of action."
 Mr. and Mrs. Oldham also received the Presidential Citation carrying three stars representing the major engagements in which Lieutenant Oldham participated.
View Marine Corps Burial Certificate
At the time of his death, besides his parents, Lieut. Oldham was survived by one brother, George Peter Oldham, of Port Chester, and six sirters, Miss Faith Oldham, a nurse at Presbyterian Hospital, New York, Mrs. Philip H. Heyel, Jr. , Port Chester; Mrs. Edwin J. Major, Long Island; and Irene, Eloise, and Mary Elizabeth of the home address.
Lieut. Oldham was the sixth Rye man officially reported lost in action.
Philip A. Oldham's remains were eventually returned to the U.S. He was buried with full military honors at Long Island National Cemetery in East Farmingdale, NY, Plot J 13593
WWII Marine Raiders: A Tradition of Excellence
Philip A. Oldham Cited for Bravery
Wins Promotion for Meritorious Conduct in Action in Solomons
Cited for meritorius conduct in action at Guadalcanal, Sergt. Philip A. Oldham, son of Mr. and Mrs. George C. Oldham, 32 Meadow Place, has been appointed platoon sergeant in the United States Marine Corps. Recommendation for Sergeant Oldhams promotion came from the Commanding Officer of the First Marine Raider Battalion at Guadalcanal and was in recognition of the qualities of leadership and bravery displayed during the attack on, and seizure of Tulagi, S. I. , from 7 to 10 August, 1942. Sergeant Oldhams notification of his promotion said: In view of your meritorius conduct in action from 7 to 10 August, 1942, during the attack on and seizure of Tulagi, Solomon Islands, in that you displayed the qualities of leadership and competence to handle a platoon of men under combat conditions, the Commanding General takes pleasure in forwarding to you the enclosed warrant of promotion to the rank of Platoon Sergeant for your outstanding performance of duty.
RYE, NEW YORK, FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 1943
Lieut. Philip Oldham Killed in Action in South Pacific
Another gold star was added this week to Ryes honor roll opposite the name of 2nd Lieut. Philip A. Oldham, U. S. M. C, 28-year old son of Mr. and Mrs. George C. Oldham, 32 Meadow Place, killed in combat in the Southwest Pacific. Formal notification of Lieut. Oldhams death was received on Saturday from Lieut. General Thomas Holcomb, U. S. Marine Corps Commandant, and was followed on Wednesday by a letter of praise of his heroic services. General Holcomb wrote: It is a source of profound regret to me and to his brother officers of the Corps that your son, 2nd Lieut. Philip Ambrose Oldham, United States Marine Corps Reserve, lost his life in action against the enemies of his country and I wish to express my deepest sympathy to you and members of your family in your great loss. There is little I can say to lessen your grief but it is my earnest hope that the knowledge of your sons splendid record in the service and the thought that he nobly gave his life in the performance of his duty may in some measure comfort you in this sad hour. Member Edsons Raiders Lieut. Oldham was a member of the famous First Marine Raider Battalion, known as Edsons Raiders and won his commission through conspicuous courage and leadership. He was cited or meritorious conduct in action at Guadalcanal, where he served for 14 months. His citation was given in recognition of the qualities of leadership and bravery during the attack on and seizure of Tulagi, S. I. , from 7 to 10 August, 1942, and he was promoted from the rank of sergeant to that of platoon sergeant for his proven competence to handle men under combat conditions. His ability as a leader was later rewarded by the granting of a commission. Lieut. Oldham valiantly emulated his father, George C. Oldham, who served with distinction, both in the Boer War in Africa and World War 1 As a British subject, he entered the Boer War in 1899 and was retired as a captain after six years of service. Coming to the United States, Mr. Oldham had his first citizenship papers when World War 1 broke out and he went to Canada and enlisted. Four years with the Canadian troops found him in battles from the Somme to the second battle of Eprea. Now in ill health, Mr. Oldhams grief is tempered to some extent by the knowledge that his son met a soldiers death. On his maternal side, Lieut. Oldham was a member of an old, well known Rye family. He was the grandson of the late Ambrose M. Meriam, who was among the first to make his home on Highland Road. Although born in Connecticut, Lieut. Oldham lived in Rye practically his entire life. He attended the Rye public schools and was particularly conspicuous in athletics as a high school student. He was a member of the Rye Presbyterian Church. It was in January, 1941, that Lieut. Oldham enlisted 4n the Marine Corps at Philadelphia. Assigned to Parris Island, S. C, for his boot training, he volunteered for service in the Raider Battalion and was sent to Quantico, Va. , for specialized training before going abroad. Closely associated with him at Quantico and in the Southwest Pacific was Captain Edwin Wheeler, of Port Chester, whose wife, the former Gerstein Foshay, lives in Highland Hall. Besides his parents, Lieut. Oldham is survived by one brother, George Peter Oldham, of Port Chester, and six sirters, Miss Faith Oldham, a nurse at Presbyterian Hospital, New York, who expects to be called to duty. with the Army in September; Mrs. Philip H. Heyel, Jr. , Port Chester; Mrs. Edwin J. Major, Long Island; and Irene, Eloise, and Mary Elizabeth of the home address. Lieut. Oldham is the sixth Rye man officially reported lost in action.
RYE, NEW YORK FRIDAY, AUGUST 6, 1943.
LIEUT. PHILIP OLDHAM KILLED AFTER BLOWING UP JAP MACHINE GUN NEST
Delayed dispatches from two Marine Corps combat correspondents reveal that 2nd Lieut. Philip A. Oldham was killed in the battle of Munda, when he crawled within grenade-throwing distance of a Japanese machine-gun nest and blew it up along with a score of Japs. A column of Marines to which Lieut. Oldham was attached was trying to capture Ehogai and establish a northern prong of a steel pincers that would outflank the enemy held air base at Munda. The leathernecks were about 600 yards from their objective when heavy fire from the hidden machine guns stopped them. Oldham, a veteran of Guadalcanal and one of those commissioned recently, crawled within a few yards of the nest and tossed his grenades. He was killed as he sought to rejoin his men. His feat, however, removed the last serious obstacle to Enogai and the Marines rushed in. After the Jap attack on Pearl Harbor, friends said Oldham had but one ambition and that was to get into the scrap. He said he hoped he would kill at least 500 Japs, one of his former fellow workers in Philadelphia said. The son of Mr. and Mrs. George Oldham of 32 Meadow Place, Lieut. Oldham was working and living in Philadelphia when he enlisted in the Marine Corps on January 28, 1942. The story of his heroism came through two former Philadelphia newspaper reporters, Technical Sergeants Murrey Marder and Frank J McDevitt. Cited by Commanding General Lieut. Oldham was cited by his Commanding General for achievement in the face of danger in action earlier this year. The citation accompanying the commendation reads: For conduct and achievement in the face of danger on reconnaissance missions, Lieut. Oldham was a member of a reconnaissance party consisting of three men, During these patrols, the party traversed many miles of jungle on foot and many miles on water, often being in close proximity to enemy patrols and camps. As a result of their initiative, daring and cool judgment, these men were able to obtain valuable information useful for future operations. Lieut. Oldhams conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Friday, August 20, 1343 THE RYE CHRONICLE
Posthumous Award Of Silver Star to Lieut. Phil Oldham
The Army Silver Star Medal for gallantry in action with the official citation posthumously awarded Lieutenant Philip A. Oldham, United States Marine Corps Reserve was personally delivered on Saturday to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. George C. Oldham, 119 Grace Church Street, by Captain Francis Smith, U. S. M. C. Lieutenant Oldham lost his life on July 9, 1943 in the South Pacific against enemy Japanese forces at Enogai, New Georgia, Solomon Island. Accompanying the medal and citation was a personal letter to Mr. and Mrs. Oldham from Lieutenant General A. A. Vandergrift, Commandant of the Marine Corps expressing his sympathy and stating, the Marine Corps shares your pride in the heroic conduct of your son. The citation follows: Philip A. Oldham, Second Lieutenant, United State* Marine Corps Reserve, for gallantry in action at Enogai, New Georgia, Solomon Island, on 9 July 1943. Rather than call for volunteers to attack three machine guns that were blocking an advance on an enemy position with vicious cross-fire, he crawled forward alone and wiped out one of the guns and its crew. Lieutenant Oldhams bold act drew fire immediately and he was killed by a burst from another gun. his courage and self-sacrifice so infused his men with fierce determination that within a half hour after his
death all of the guns retarding the advance had been knocked out of action. Mr. and Mrs. Oldham also received the Presidential Citation carrying three stars representing the major engagements in which Lieutenant Oldham participated.
RYE, NEW YORK FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1945
Posthumous Award Received by Mother of Lt. Oldham
The Purple Heart Medal and certificate has been received by Mrs. George C. Oldham, 32 Meadow Place, awarded posthumously to 2nd Lieut. Philip A. Oldham, United States Marine Corps Reserve, who gave his life recently in the fighting in the Southwest Pacific area. As next of kin, Mrs. Oldham received the award with a letter from Colonel John Dixon, U. S. M. C. Lieut. Oldham was a member of the famous First Marine Raider Battalion, known as Edsons Raiders, and was cited for meritorious conduct In action at Guadalcanal, where he served for 14 months. The communication also says that she will receive the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal for her sons service in the Asiatic-Pacific area, but this medal will not be ready for issuance until six months after the war.
PAGE FOUR THE RYE CHRONICLE Friday, December 10, 1943
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Phillip A Oldham 
