John F. Coffey
John F. Coffey, Lieutenant Colonel, born Nov. 2, 1918, Portland, OR,
graduated Lincoln High School in Portland and attended several colleges
in obtaining a BS degree in business administration from Old Dominion
University in 1956.
He enlisted in the USMC Sept. 12, 1940; trained in MCRD San Diego;
joined MarDet, USS West Virginia, Dec. 6, 1940, at Bremerton Navy Ship
Yard; and was on duty as XO's orderly on Dec. 7, 1941. Received a
direct commission to 2nd lieutenant Dec. 16,1942; joined MarDet, USS
Minneapolis, July 7,1943; and detached on June 7, 1945.
He served at Camp Pendleton; MB Canal Zone; Camp Lejeune; HQMC; MAG
Chinese Marine Corps; 1st Mar. AirWing, Japan; MarCorSchools; 2nd Mar.,
2nd MarDiv in the Mediterranean. Infantry Combat: 1st Bn., 1st Mar.,
1st MarDiv and Korea, Sept. 15, 1950-July 7, 1951.
Retired on May 31,1966, with the rank of lieutenant colonel. Awards
include the Asiatic-Pacific Medal w/12 stars, Korean Service Medal w/5
stars, Bronze Star Medal w/V and Gold Star, Letter of Commendation w/V
and Presidential Unit Citation w/3 stars.
Memorable experiences include Pearl Harbor, Dec. 7, 1941; fighting from
the Marshall Islands-Okinawa, 1943-45; serving in the infantry in Korea
from Sept. 15, 1950-July 5, 1951.
Married Elizabeth Ann Warner of Churchland, VA, June 15, 1943, and has
two sons and one granddaughter. He enjoys fly fishing for trout in
streams.
Reprinted with permission from Turner Publishing