Carmel J. Phelan was born to John and Mary Scanlon Phelan in 1919, and grew up in Paterson, N.J. He attended Saint Peter’s College from 1938-1941, majoring in English and economics. He left the College to join the United States Army after being inducted on July 22, 1941. He served with the 94th Division, 301st Infantry Regiment, Company B, and became a technician 5th Class.

On Sunday, January 21, 1945, in an attempt to seize Orscholz, Germany -- called the Disaster at Orscholz -- Phelan was killed in action by rifle fire.

Phelan was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal to replace the Combat Infantryman Badge. He was also awarded the Purple Heart, the Good Conduct Medal, the European, African, Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 2 Bronze Service Stars and the World War II Victory Medal. These were provided to his next of kin in later years.  

Phelan is buried in plot A, row 33, grave 11 in the Ardennes American Cemetery in Neupre, Belgium.