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:''...for extraordinary heroism during an extremely daring escape from a solitary confinement cell while a Prisoner of War in Hanoi, North Vietnam on 12 October 1967. During a period of particularly harsh treatment, Lieutenant Commander Coker and another prisoner executed an escape as a two-man team despite the high risk of brutal reprisal or possible loss of life. That night, after opening the cell door by removing door bolt brackets from inside the room, he proceeded over the wall and through several blocks of housing to the Domer Bridge. Walking under the bridge to the Red River's edge, he swam downstream all night and at sunrise buried himself in a mudbank in an effort to remain concealed. He was later discovered, recaptured, severely beaten for many hours, and banished to solitary confinement for two and a half years.''<ref>[http://www.veterantributes.org/TributeDetail.asp?ID=49 George T. Coker], Veteran Tributes. Accessed [[July 3]], [[2008]].</ref>
:''...for extraordinary heroism during an extremely daring escape from a solitary confinement cell while a Prisoner of War in Hanoi, North Vietnam on 12 October 1967. During a period of particularly harsh treatment, Lieutenant Commander Coker and another prisoner executed an escape as a two-man team despite the high risk of brutal reprisal or possible loss of life. That night, after opening the cell door by removing door bolt brackets from inside the room, he proceeded over the wall and through several blocks of housing to the Domer Bridge. Walking under the bridge to the Red River's edge, he swam downstream all night and at sunrise buried himself in a mudbank in an effort to remain concealed. He was later discovered, recaptured, severely beaten for many hours, and banished to solitary confinement for two and a half years.''<ref>[http://www.veterantributes.org/TributeDetail.asp?ID=49 George T. Coker], Veteran Tributes. Accessed [[July 3]], [[2008]].</ref>


On [[October 25]], [[1967]], Coker was one of 11 of the most effective resisters, among the 267 POWs then held, who were placed in a special facility in a courtyard behind the North Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense, soon nicknamed "Alcatraz", located about one mile away from Hoa Lo Prison. Coker and McKnight were added to nine prisoners who had been at a facility nicknamed "Vegas": [[Jeremiah Denton]], Harry Jenkins, [[Sam Johnson]], James Mulligan, Howard Rutledge, Robert Shumaker, [[James Stockdale]], Ronald Storz and Nels Tanner. While most of those among the Alcatraz 11 were senior officers, Coker was the youngest and most junior of those isolated from the other POWs.<ref>[[James Stockdale|Stockdale, James B.]] "George Coker for Beach Schools", letter to the ''[[The Virginian-Pilot]]'', [[March 26]], [[1996]].</ref><ref name=HonorBound/> The 11, known as the "Alcatraz Gang", were separated from other captives and placed in solitary confinement for their leadership in resisting their captors.<ref>Adams, Lorraine. [http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19920331&slug=1483968 "Perot's Interim Partner Spent 7 1/2 Years As Pow"], ''[[Dallas Morning News]]'', [[March 11]], [[1992]]. Accessed [[July 2]], [[2008]]. "He [Stockdale] was one of the ''Alcatraz Gang'' - a group of 11 prisoners of war who were separated because they were leaders of the prisoners' resistance."</ref><ref name=NYT19741208>[http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F70D12F63459147A93CAA81789D95F408785F9 "Mao Meets Mobutu in China; Notes on People"], ''[[The New York Times]]'', [[December 18]], [[1974]]. Accessed [[July 14]], [[2008]].</ref>
On [[October 25]], [[1967]], Coker was one of 11 of the most effective resisters, among the 267 POWs then held, who were placed in a special facility in a courtyard behind the North Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense, soon nicknamed "Alcatraz", located about one mile away from Hoa Lo Prison. Coker and McKnight were added to nine prisoners who had been at a facility nicknamed "Vegas": [[Jeremiah Denton]], Harry Jenkins, [[Sam Johnson]], James Mulligan, Howard Rutledge, Robert Shumaker, [[James Stockdale]], Ronald Storz and Nels Tanner. While most of those among the Alcatraz 11 were senior officers, Coker was the youngest and most junior of those isolated from the other POWs.<ref>[[James Stockdale|Stockdale, James B.]] "George Coker for Beach Schools", letter to the ''[[The Virginian-Pilot]]'', [[March 26]], [[1996]].</ref><ref name=HonorBound/> The 11, known as the "Alcatraz Gang", were separated from other captives and placed in solitary confinement for their leadership in resisting their captors.<ref>Adams, Lorraine. [http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19920331&slug=1483968 "Perot's Interim Partner Spent 7 1/2 Years As Pow"], ''[[Dallas Morning News]]'', [[March 11]], [[1992]]. Accessed [[July 2]], [[2008]]. "He [Stockdale] was one of the ''Alcatraz Gang'' - a group of 11 prisoners of war who were separated because they were leaders of the prisoners' resistance."</ref><ref name=NYT19741208>[http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F70D12F63459147A93CAA81789D95F408785F9 "Mao Meets Mobutu in China; Notes on People"], ''[[The New York Times]]'', [[December 18]], [[1974]]. Accessed [[July 14]], [[2008]]. "He has also been awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Legion of Merit and Navy Commendation Medal"</ref>


On [[March 4]], [[1973]], both Coker and Fellowes were released as part of [[Operation Homecoming]].<ref name="escape">{{cite web |last = Coker |first = George Thomas |year = 1977 |url = http://www.pownetwork.org/bios/c/c089.htm |title = POWNet record of George Thomas Coker |publisher = POWNet |accessdate = 2006-06-22}}</ref> Vietnam-era POWs were released in order of capture, and Fellowes and Coker were in the second large release group, about #123 and #124.<ref name="release"/> Of their 2,382&nbsp;days in captivity (6.5&nbsp;years), 2.5&nbsp;years were in solitary confinement and 2.5&nbsp;years in the "Hanoi Hilton". They also spent time in several other POW camps around Hanoi.
On [[March 4]], [[1973]], both Coker and Fellowes were released as part of [[Operation Homecoming]].<ref name="escape">{{cite web |last = Coker |first = George Thomas |year = 1977 |url = http://www.pownetwork.org/bios/c/c089.htm |title = POWNet record of George Thomas Coker |publisher = POWNet |accessdate = 2006-06-22}}</ref> Vietnam-era POWs were released in order of capture, and Fellowes and Coker were in the second large release group, about #123 and #124.<ref name="release"/> Of their 2,382&nbsp;days in captivity (6.5&nbsp;years), 2.5&nbsp;years were in solitary confinement and 2.5&nbsp;years in the "Hanoi Hilton". They also spent time in several other POW camps around Hanoi.

Revision as of 03:22, 16 July 2008

George Thomas Coker
May 1966
AllegianceUnited States of America
Service/branchUnited States Navy
Years of service1963–1986
RankCommander
UnitAttack Squadron 65, USS Constellation
Battles/warsVietnam War
AwardsNavy Cross
Silver Star
Legion of Merit
Distinguished Flying Cross
Bronze Star (2)
Purple Heart (2)
POW Medal
Other workDistinguished Eagle Scout

George Thomas Coker (born July 14, 1943) is a retired US Navy commander, honored with the Navy Cross for his leadership as a prisoner of war (POW) during the Vietnam War, and a Distinguished Eagle Scout noted for his devotion to Scouting.

In 1966, the A-6 Intruder on which Coker was serving as bombardier–navigator was shot down over North Vietnam. He was held as a prisoner of war in the "Hanoi Hilton" and other camps for 6.5 years (1966–1973). After his release, he continued to serve in the Navy until his retirement in 1986. He also returned to active participation in Scouting.

Personal information

George Coker was born in Amarillo, Texas in 1943. In 1951, his family moved to Linden, New Jersey, where he became a New Jersey high school state wrestling champion in the 142 lb weight class and played high school varsity football. Coker attended Rutgers University from 1961–1963, where he also wrestled. While at Rutgers, he participated in an aviation officer cadet program and was commissioned an Ensign in the United States Navy. After his release from Vietnam, he returned to college to complete his degree. He graduated from the University of San Diego in 1976 with a BS in political science and then studied education and mathematics at Old Dominion University from 1982–1986. Coker is married and has two daughters and a son.[1]

Scouting life

George Thomas Coker after receiving his DESA award; August 9, 2005.

Coker grew up in Linden, New Jersey and became an Eagle Scout in Troop 32 of Saint Elizabeth's Catholic Church in Linden on January 27, 1959. His passion for Scouting is one of the things that got him through his 6.5 years as a POW in North Vietnam, and he states that it is what got him through his darkest days in the POW camps – to the point that at times all he could remember was the Scout Oath, but not even the names of his family members.[2][3][4]

Both of Coker's older brothers were involved in Scouting and Coker first became involved when he joined Cub Scouts in late 1951. He completed the Cubbing program and joined Troop 32. Troop 32 had about a dozen members at that time but had over 60 members when Coker made Eagle Scout in 1959. During this time the troop formed an Explorer Post and Sea Scout unit. After making Eagle Scout, Coker joined the Sea Scout unit and worked at summer camp before the joined the Navy in October 1963. When Coker returned to Linden after being released from captivity, the Scouts were his biggest supporter. Troop 32 now had over 100 members. Local citizens turned out by the hundreds to greet him. Coker visited many of the local Scouting units. Coker was then inactive in Scouting during a busy Naval career, but got involved again when his son joined Cub Scouts as a Tiger Cub after the family had settled in Virginia Beach, Virginia. He became the den leader of 7 boys, all of whom earned their Arrow of Light, the highest recognition in Cub Scouting. They moved on to Troop 62, Virginia Beach, in May 1994; with five of them later becoming Eagle Scouts, including his son.[5]

Troop 62's adults asked Coker to become Scoutmaster, a position in which he served for several years. Coker is also a Vigil Honor member of the Order of the Arrow (OA). Coker served as the lodge adviser for Tidewater Council's OA lodge, Blue Heron Lodge, from December 2005 until December 2007. He was honored by the Boy Scouts of America with their Distinguished Eagle Scout Award on August 09, 2005.[6]

Military service

George Thomas Coker shortly after his release from the POW camps in North Vietnam; March 1973.

Coker served as a naval aviation officer for 23 years in the United States Navy, from 1963–1986.

On Coker's 55th bombing mission, he was a Lieutenant, junior grade serving as the Bombardier–Navigator on an A-6 Intruder from squadron VA-65 operating from the USS Constellation, when he and his pilot, John H. "Jack" Fellowes, were shot down over North Vietnam on August 27, 1966 while flying near Vinh in Nghe An Province. The plane was hit by a surface-to-air missile which blew off the craft's right wing, and the two ejected from the plane after it went into a flat spin. Their wingman tracked the parachutes as the crew descended, but lost sight of them due to poor visibility and flak after the crew were within 50 feet of the ground. Coker and Fellowes landed 20 feet apart in a flat, well-populated area covered with rice paddies and were captured by armed villagers soon after landing. For three hours after they ejected American planes made a thorough search, despite moderate to heavy flak, but were unable to spot the parachutes or get a signal from their emergency beepers.[7][8]

Coker was held by the North Vietnamese at a number of different POW camps in the Hanoi area, including Cu Loc, Alcatraz Grove and Hoa Lo Prison (the "Hanoi Hilton").[9] During his captivity, Coker was notable for the ferocity with which he resisted his incarceration.[10][11][4] Coker was considered one of "the baddest of the baddest" of the POWs, a reference to his stubborn resistance to his captivity.[12]

In 1967, Coker and Air Force Captain George McKnight (another of the "baddest") conceived of an escape plan. The two would escape from their cells and make it to the nearby Red River, swim by night and hide by day, estimating that it would take three or four days to reach the mouth of the river. There they would commandeer a boat and make it out to sea where they hoped to flag down a ship of the United States Seventh Fleet, estimating that it would take eight days from their escape until their rescue.[13] The two removed the hinges from their cell and escaped from Dirty Bird prison in Hanoi the night of October 12, 1967, climbed to the roof of the prison block and jumped to another roof to escape. They tied themselves together to avoid separation and jumped into the Red River near the Tanwa Bridge. That night they made it 15 miles downstream in the dark and hid in the mud on the river's edge at daybreak. The two were recaptured 12 1/2 hours after they had escaped when they were spotted by fishermen along the shore early that morning and were handed over to soldiers. They were held in irons at Hoa Lo prison before being returned to Dirty Bird a few days later.[14][9][13][15] Their effort made them two of the very few POWs to ever escape from a North Vietnamese POW camp. Coker was awarded the Navy Cross, the Navy's highest award for heroism, for his actions in his attempted escape as a prisoner of war.[16] The citation reads in part:

...for extraordinary heroism during an extremely daring escape from a solitary confinement cell while a Prisoner of War in Hanoi, North Vietnam on 12 October 1967. During a period of particularly harsh treatment, Lieutenant Commander Coker and another prisoner executed an escape as a two-man team despite the high risk of brutal reprisal or possible loss of life. That night, after opening the cell door by removing door bolt brackets from inside the room, he proceeded over the wall and through several blocks of housing to the Domer Bridge. Walking under the bridge to the Red River's edge, he swam downstream all night and at sunrise buried himself in a mudbank in an effort to remain concealed. He was later discovered, recaptured, severely beaten for many hours, and banished to solitary confinement for two and a half years.[17]

On October 25, 1967, Coker was one of 11 of the most effective resisters, among the 267 POWs then held, who were placed in a special facility in a courtyard behind the North Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense, soon nicknamed "Alcatraz", located about one mile away from Hoa Lo Prison. Coker and McKnight were added to nine prisoners who had been at a facility nicknamed "Vegas": Jeremiah Denton, Harry Jenkins, Sam Johnson, James Mulligan, Howard Rutledge, Robert Shumaker, James Stockdale, Ronald Storz and Nels Tanner. While most of those among the Alcatraz 11 were senior officers, Coker was the youngest and most junior of those isolated from the other POWs.[18][13] The 11, known as the "Alcatraz Gang", were separated from other captives and placed in solitary confinement for their leadership in resisting their captors.[19][16]

On March 4, 1973, both Coker and Fellowes were released as part of Operation Homecoming.[9] Vietnam-era POWs were released in order of capture, and Fellowes and Coker were in the second large release group, about #123 and #124.[1] Of their 2,382 days in captivity (6.5 years), 2.5 years were in solitary confinement and 2.5 years in the "Hanoi Hilton". They also spent time in several other POW camps around Hanoi.

Coker was promoted to full Lieutenant during his captivity.[20] He was awarded six decorations at a ceremony at North Island Naval Station in San Diego, California: Navy Cross, Silver Star, two Bronze Stars, Legion of Merit, and Navy Commendation. In 1974, Mayor John Gregorio also presented him with a key to the city of Linden.[21]

A fellow POW, CDR Paul Galanti, said "George is one of my heroes...but the real reason we're home is the bad guys wanted to get Coker out of the country. So, you see, George Coker is the real reason we were released."[22] Coker is one of the names of fellow POW's that future Senator John McCain recites in the the 2005 film, Faith of My Fathers; a film based on the 1999 McCain memoir of the same title, Faith of My Fathers.[23][24] Coker was also shown making patriotic speeches and controversial statements about the Vietnamese in the Academy Award-winning documentary Hearts and Minds.[25]

Military decorations

Navy Cross

In retirement

In addition to continued Scouting activities, Coker has been involved in supporting ex-POWs for many years. In December 2004, he was elected Commander of his local POW chapter, the Tidewater ex-POW Association. Coker and his wife are also active in church and civic activities, such as counseling young married couples.[2]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Everette, Randy (May 5, 2005). "Coker Interview". Retrieved 2006-09-22. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  2. ^ a b Brinkley, Robin. "Lesson In Distinction" (The Beacon (supplement) ed.). Virginia Beach, VA: The Virginian-Pilot. pp. cover, 12–13. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help) Aug 4, 2005
  3. ^ Award speech by George Thomas Coker accepting his Distinguished Eagle Scout Award, Aug 9, 2005, Norfolk Waterside Marriott, Norfolk, Virginia.
  4. ^ a b Ray, Mark (2007). "What It Means to Be an Eagle Scout". Scouting Magazine. Boy Scouts of America. Retrieved 2008-07-06. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  5. ^ Coker, George Thomas (July 31, 2006). "George Thomas Coker (item f)" (email). George Coker. Retrieved 2007-12-10. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  6. ^ "Distinguished Eagle Scouts". Troop & Pack 179. Retrieved 2006-03-02.
  7. ^ Olson, James Stuart (1988). Dictionary of the Vietnam War. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press. p. 194. ISBN 0313249431. Retrieved 2208-06-24. {{cite book}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  8. ^ Montgomery, Lacy. "POWs' captivity, survival seen through Open Doors", United States Naval Academy, February 14, 2004. Accessed July 15, 2008.
  9. ^ a b c Coker, George Thomas (1977). "POWNet record of George Thomas Coker". POWNet. Retrieved 2006-06-22.
  10. ^ Senator John McCain's letter of endorsement to Coker's Distinguished Eagle Scout nomination, June 1, 2005.
  11. ^ Townley, Alvin. Legacy of Honor: The Values and Influence of America's Eagle Scouts. New York: St. Martin's Press. pp. pp. 64-74, 286. ISBN 0-312-36653-1. Retrieved 2006-12-29. {{cite book}}: |pages= has extra text (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); Unknown parameter |origdate= ignored (|orig-date= suggested) (help)
  12. ^ Larson, Col. Gordon "Swede". "Biography of Col. Gordon "Swede" Larson". Col. Larson's home page. Col. Larson. Retrieved 2006-06-22.
  13. ^ a b c Rochester, Stuart; and Kiley, Frederick. "Honor Bound: American Prisoners of War in Southeast Asia, 1961-1973", 2007, Naval Institute Press, ISBN 1591147387, via Google Books, p. 326. Accessed July 8, 2008.
  14. ^ Powers, John N. "Vietnam Prisoners of War", EX-POW BULLETIN the official voice of the American Ex-Prisoners of War, May 2008, Volume 65, Number 5, p. 10. Accessed July 4, 2008
  15. ^ Return With Honor Transcript, PBS. Accessed July 10, 2008. "That night uh, we decided to go so I sprang the lock uh, we uh, climbed up on the roof of our prison block and uh, jumped over to another roof., jumped over the wall. Ran down in the direction of uh, the Tanwa Bridge and then we tied ourselves together so we wouldn't get separated in the dark and then we jumped in the river and we proceeded to swim to California!"
  16. ^ a b c d e f g "Mao Meets Mobutu in China; Notes on People", The New York Times, December 18, 1974. Accessed July 14, 2008. "He has also been awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Legion of Merit and Navy Commendation Medal"
  17. ^ George T. Coker, Veteran Tributes. Accessed July 3, 2008.
  18. ^ Stockdale, James B. "George Coker for Beach Schools", letter to the The Virginian-Pilot, March 26, 1996.
  19. ^ Adams, Lorraine. "Perot's Interim Partner Spent 7 1/2 Years As Pow", Dallas Morning News, March 11, 1992. Accessed July 2, 2008. "He [Stockdale] was one of the Alcatraz Gang - a group of 11 prisoners of war who were separated because they were leaders of the prisoners' resistance."
  20. ^ John Heaphy "Jack" Fellowes, POWnetwork.org. Accessed July 15, 2008.
  21. ^ Yeats, Lauren Pancurak (2002-11-25). Linden, New Jersey. Mount Pleasant, SC: Arcadia Publishing. pp. 131–132. ISBN 0738563269. Retrieved 2008-06-24.
  22. ^ Galanti, Paul (May 5, 2005). "Galanti (Coker) Interview". Tidewater Council. Retrieved 2007-11-05. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  23. ^ McCain, John (1999). [[Faith of My Fathers]]. Random House. pp. page 206. ISBN 0-7869-1850-8. I tried to memorize the names of POWs, the names and personal details of guards and interrogators... to keep my faculties sound. {{cite book}}: |pages= has extra text (help); Check |isbn= value: checksum (help); URL–wikilink conflict (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  24. ^ McCain, John S. (1973-05-14). "How the POWs Fought Back". archived U.S. News & World Report, (page 46 ff) article at Free Republic. U.S. News & World Report. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  25. ^ Desson Thomson (2004). "'Hearts And Minds' Recaptured". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2007-12-23.

Further reading

External links

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