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Ronald Leroy Coker Famous memorial

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Ronald Leroy Coker Famous memorial

Birth	:	9 Aug 1947 Alliance, Box Butte County, Nebraska, USA
Death	:	24 Mar 1969
Burial	:	Whitstable Cemetery, Whitstable, City of Canterbury, England
Coordinate	:	51.3529870, 1.0338530
Description	:	Vietnam War Medal of Honor Recipient. He received the award posthumously (presented to his family) from Vice President Spiro T. Agnew at the White House on April 20, 1970, for his actions as a private first class with the 2nd Platoon, Company M, 3rd Battalion, 3rd US Marines, on March 24, 1969, in Quang Tri Province, South Vietnam. He was drafted into the US Marine Corps in April 1968 and following his combat training, he joined a replacement company, Staging Battalion, at Camp Pendleton, California, for transfer to South Vietnam. He was assigned duty as a rifleman and was killed... Read More	Vietnam War Medal of Honor Recipient. He received the award posthumously (presented to his family) from Vice President Spiro T. Agnew at the White House on April 20, 1970, for his actions as a private first class with the 2nd Platoon, Company M, 3rd Battalion, 3rd US Marines, on March 24, 1969, in Quang Tri Province, South Vietnam. He was drafted into the US Marine Corps in April 1968 and following his combat training, he joined a replacement company, Staging Battalion, at Camp Pendleton, California, for transfer to South Vietnam. He was assigned duty as a rifleman and was killed in action during a firefight the following year. He was also awarded the Purple Heart. His Medal of Honor citation reads: "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, Third Battalion, Third Marines, Third Marine Division in action against enemy forces in the Republic of Vietnam. On March 24, 1969, while serving as Point Man for the Second Platoon, Private First Class Coker was leading his patrol when he encountered five enemy soldiers on a narrow jungle trail. Reacting instantly, he warned the Marines following him and wounded one of the enemy soldiers with his M16 rifle. When the enemy retreated, Private First Class Coker's squad aggressively pursued them to 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, Private First Class Coker disregarded his own safety and moved across the fire-swept terrain toward his companion. Although wounded by enemy small arms fire, he ignored his injury as he resolutely continued to crawl across the hazardous area and then 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 out of the enemy's killing zone, a hostile grenade landed on the wounded Marine. Unhesitatingly, Private First Class Coker grabbed the grenade 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. Possessed only with the safety of his comrade, Private First Class Coker, with supreme effort, continued to attempt to crawl and pull the wounded Marine with him. His heroic deeds inspired his fellow Marines to such aggressive action that the North Vietnamese fire was suppressed sufficiently to enable others to reach him and carrying him to a relatively safe area where he later succumbed to his extensive wounds. Private First Class Coker's indomitable courage, inspiring initiative and selfless devotion to duty upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country."

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Ronald Leroy Coker Famous memorial's memorial?
Ronald Leroy Coker Famous memorial's memorial is located at: Whitstable Cemetery, Whitstable, City of Canterbury, England.
When did Ronald Leroy Coker Famous memorial death?
Ronald Leroy Coker Famous memorial death on 24 Mar 1969 in
Where are the coordinates of the Ronald Leroy Coker Famous memorial's memorial?
Latitude: 51.3529870
Longitude: 1.0338530

Family Members:

Parent

Cecil Leroy Coker

(1898 - 1972)

Nellie F. Heath Coker

(1917 - 1967)

Siblings

Charles William Coker

(1946 - 1997)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

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Coordinate: 51.3558090, 1.0396670

2. St Alphege Churchyard
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Coordinate: 51.3576330, 1.0251080

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6. Herne Bay Cemetery
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Coordinate: 51.3571810, 1.1304820

7. All Saints Churchyard
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8. St Martins
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9. St Martin's Churchyard
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10. St Michael Churchyard
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11. Canterbury City Cemetery
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12. St Nicholas Hospital Church
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13. Christ Church Churchyard
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Coordinate: 51.2916540, 0.9741890

14. St Michael and All Angels Church
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Coordinate: 51.2824590, 1.0556800

15. Canterbury Jewish Cemetery
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Coordinate: 51.2846135, 1.0706660

16. St. Dunstan Churchyard
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Coordinate: 51.2836820, 1.0707800

17. St Bartholomew Churchyard
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Coordinate: 51.3166220, 0.9322200

18. Sturry Cemetery
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Coordinate: 51.3058100, 1.1277700

19. St. John the Baptist Hospital Chapelyard
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20. Holy Cross Church
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21. St Nicholas Churchyard
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22. Westgate Gardens
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23. St Gregory's Priory (defunct)
Canterbury, City of Canterbury, England
Coordinate: 51.2831127, 1.0855358

24. St Peter the Apostle Churchyard
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