Indvdl MOH

NAME:

RANK:

BIRTH CITY:

SERVICE:

Coker, Ronald L.

Alliance, NE

USMC

PFC

BIRTH DATE:

8/9/1947

MOS:

UNIT:

BURIAL SITE:

PERSONAL INFO

NATIONAL WALL LOCATION:

NVVM WALL LOCATION:

Panel 028W Line 024

Panel 01 Line 21

BURIAL/MEMORIAL INFO

INCIDENT INFO

SERVICE INFO

START TOUR DATE:

INCIDENT DATE:

DEATH DATE:

11/6/1968

3/24/1969

REMAINS:

INCIDENT COUNTRY:

INCIDENT PROVINCE:

South Vietnam

Quang Tri

48QXD740540

UTM GRID REFERENCE:

YES

POSTHUMOUS CITATION?

0311 = Rifleman

M CO, 3RD BN, 3RD MARINES, 3RD MARDIV, III MAF

Recovered.

HOME OF RECORD:

Denver, CO

CITATION INFO

PRESENTATION DATE:

20 April 1970

CITATION:

Presented to recipient's family by Vice-President Agnew at the White House

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a rifleman with Company M in action against enemy forces. While serving as point man for the 2nd Platoon, Pfc. Coker was leading his patrol when he encountered five enemy soldiers on a narrow jungle trail. Pfc. Coker's squad aggressively pursued them to a cave. As the squad neared the cave, it came under intense hostile fire, seriously wounding one Marine and forcing the others to take cover. Observing the wounded man lying exposed to continuous enemy fire, Pfc. Coker disregarded his safety and moved across the fire-swept terrain toward his companion. Although wounded by enemy small-arms fire, he continued to crawl across the hazardous area and skillfully threw a hand grenade into the enemy positions, suppressing the hostile fire sufficiently to enable him to reach the wounded man. As he began to drag his injured comrade toward safety, a grenade landed on the wounded Marine. Unhesitatingly, Pfc. Coker grasped it with both hands and turned away from his wounded companion, but before he could dispose of the grenade it exploded. Severely wounded, but undaunted, he refused to abandon his comrade. As he moved toward friendly lines, two more enemy grenades exploded near him, inflicting still further injuries. Concerned only for the safety of his comrade, Pfc. Coker, with supreme effort, continued to crawl and pull the wounded Marine with him. His heroic deeds inspired his fellow Marines to such aggressive action that the enemy fire was suppressed sufficiently to enable others to reach him and carry him to a relatively safe area where he succumbed to his extensive wounds. Pfc. Coker's indomitable courage, inspiring initiative, and selfless devotion to duty upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

Fairview Cemetery, Alliance, NE

MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENT