A highly decorated combat veteran, he rose to the rank of major general during the Korean War, while commanding the 45th Infantry Division.

[3] Ginder passed a competitive examination for a Congressional appointment to the United States Military Academy offered by Representative Laurence Hawley Watres.

[6] Ginder's graduation was the subject of news headlines because he took his final exams after having undergone an emergency appendectomy just one day prior.

During World War II, Ginder was the assistant chief of staff for personnel (G-1) for the Fourth United States Army.

Ginder developed a reputation for subpar performance in combat, with observers and subordinates calling him "obtuse" and "full of boast and posturing.

With complete disregard for his own personal safety and armed only with his pistol and a hand grenade, Colonel Ginder courageously moved forward leading his men into the town despite the fierce enemy resistance.

During the bitter house-to-house fighting that followed, Colonel Ginder through his personal courage and leadership, set an inspiring example which gave added encouragement to his men.

[2] He retired a major general in 1959,[17] and was granted a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster to his Legion of Merit, with the citation reading: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Major General Philip DeWitt Ginder (ASN: 0-16904), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States from January 1954 to May 1969.