Felix "Phil" Cordek
Tomb Position
SentinelTomb Relief
Highest Military Rank
Sergeant First ClassTomb Dates
Feb 1952 - Mar 1954Society Membership
Founding FatherObituary
Felix (Phil) Cordek, 89, of Stanley passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 16, 2019. Born March 30, 1930 in South Fork, PA, one of ten children to Rose and Frank Cordek Sr. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Joy Shumate Cordek and loving daughter, Deborah Caldwell and husband Dwight Caldwell.
He graduated from Auburn University in 1968 with a degree in textiles engineering. After an honorable discharge from the Army in 1957, where he proudly served in the Third Infantry's Old Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, it was there he met an Air Force Airman First Class, Joy, who was known by all as "Sergeant Red" and later became his soul mate for 65 years.
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3d United States Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard)
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Did you know?
Do you guard in a blizzard or a bad thunderstorm?
YES, but the accomplishment of the mission and welfare of the Soldier are never put at risk. The Tomb Guards have contingencies that are ready to be executed if the weather conditions ever place the Soldiers at risk of injury or death (i.e. lightning, high winds, etc). This ensures that Sentinels can continue the mission while ensuring safety. It is the responsibility of the Chain of Command from the Sergeant of the Guard to the Regimental Commander to ensure mission accomplishment and soldier welfare at all times.
It was erroneously reported that during Hurricane Isabel, the Sentinels were ordered to abandon their posts for shelter and that they refused. No such order was ever given. All proper precautions were taken to ensure the safety of the Sentinels while accomplishing their mission. Risk assessments are constantly conducted by the Chain of Command during changing conditions to ensure that soldier welfare is maintained during mission accomplishment.
