The Phelps Award was designed by artist John Phelps, a Navy veteran who served during the Vietnam War. In 2003, John Phelps began working with the Friends of the Vietnam Veterans Plaza on this award, resulting in the creation of a scuplted replica of a Vietnam era battle helmet. The battle helmet is mounted on a handcrafted, green glass-block, inscribed with excerpts from the “letters home” also engraved on the New York City Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
The Friends of the Vietnam Veterans Plaza named their Honoree of the Year Award to recognize the service of John Phelps, and his son, Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Chance Russell Phelps. Chance was killed in action while conducting combat operations west of Baghdad on April 9th, 2004. He was 19 years old.
Past recipients have included developer Donald Trump, New York City Mayors Edward Koch and Rudolph Giuliani, Dr. David Bronner, chairman of the Retirement Systems of Alabama, and philanthropist Arnold Fisher.
