Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Coast Guard Medal

    Service:

    United States Coast Guard

    Rank:

    Machinery Technician First Class

    Action Date:

    March 20, 1992

    U.S. Coast Guard Historian’s Office

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Coast Guard Medal to Machinery Technician First Class William W. Coker, United States Coast Guard, for heroism on the afternoon of 20 March 1992 when he rescued two Bolivian Air Force Officers from the smoldering wreckage of a downed aircraft in which he was a passenger. As a Coast Guard advisor to Bolivia’s Waterways Law Enforcement Program, Petty Officer Coker was traveling in the Bolivian Air Force fixed-wing aircraft to a remote jungle base camp in preparation for an upcoming maritime law enforcement mission. The aircraft crashed into the jungle after an aborted landing attempt. Dazed, suffering from multiple injuries, and drenched in aviation fuel, Petty Officer Coker crawled from the overturned aircraft wreckage and immediately returned to attempt to rescue the pilot and flight engineer from the smoldering wreckage. Although an explosion or fire was highly probable, Petty Officer Coker successfully extracted the semiconscious and severely bleeding flight engineer. Then, with the assistance of a fellow Coast Guardsman, he moved the unconscious and severely bleeding pilot a safe distance from the explosion danger of the wreckage. An emergency medical technician, Petty Officer Coker was able to stabilize the injured pilot for transport to a medical facility. Petty Officer Coker demonstrated remarkable initiative, exceptional fortitude, and daring in spite of imminent personal danger in this rescue. His courage and devotion to duty are most heartily commended and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Coast Guard.