Commander Gerald Leonard Coffee (NSN: 0-625308), United States Naval Reserve, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from February 3, 1966 until his release on February 12, 1973.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Bronze Star Medal
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Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Bronze Star Medal
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Silver Star
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Bronze Star Medal
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
April 1966 – June 1969
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Commander Gerald Leonard Coffee (NSN: 0-625308), United States Navy, for meritorious service as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from April 1966 to December 1966 and from January 1969 to June 1969. Through his ceaseless efforts, in an atmosphere of enemy harassment, threat of torture and brutal treatment, he established and maintained intracamp communications. At great risk and in spite of further cruelty, he continued to devise many unusual and ingenious methods of communications, resulting in American and Allied prisoners resisting the enemy’s demands and at the same time improving the prisoners’ morale. By his heroic endeavors, exceptional skill, and devotion to duty, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. [The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.]
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Legion of Merit
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Captain Gerald Leonard Coffee (NSN: 0-625308), United States Naval Reserve, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as a Public Speaker assigned to the Staff, Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet from January 1982 through June 1985. Serving at the personal direction of the Chief of Naval Operations, Captain Coffee performed in an exemplary and highly professional manner. His message of faith in himself, his fellow man, his Nation, and his God profoundly touched and inspired individuals from all walks of life, reaching in excess of 15 million Americans. Captain Coffee’s inspirational and though-provoking presentations were heard in virtually every state, and included the most prestigious national and regional organizations, as well as religious conventions, fraternal and social associations, trade groups, and youth groups. Delivering lessons in leadership and moral courage based on his experiences as a Prisoner of War, his personal example inspired patriotism, dedication, and belief in America and her ideals. His powerful message registered an impact far beyond the Navy – his impact was National. Captain Coffee’s inspirational leadership, peerless professional accomplishments, and exceptional devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
February 1966 – February 1973
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Commander Gerald Leonard Coffee (NSN: 0-625308), United States Naval Reserve, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from February 1966 to February 1973. Under the most adverse of conditions, he resisted all attempts by the North Vietnamese to use him in causes detrimental to the United States, never wavering in his devotion and loyalty to the United States. In an outstanding and tireless fashion he served as an educator to provide diversion and constructive rehabilitative thinking to his fellow prisoners during their long internment. Despite harsh treatment and a lack of material aids, he devoted long hours toward improving their morale and well-being. His extraordinary skill, resourcefulness, and sound judgment reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. (Commander Coffee is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Board Serial 835 (October 25, 1962)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Gerald Leonard Coffee (NSN: 0-625308), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flights on assigned missions during the Cuban Crisis in 1962. His devotion to duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
August 17, 1966
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Commander Gerald Leonard Coffee (NSN: 0-625308), United States Navy, for heroic achievement while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam on 17 August 1966. Under constant pressure from North Vietnamese interrogators and guards, he experienced harassment, intimidation and ruthless treatment in their attempt to gain military information and cooperative participation for propaganda purposes. He heroically resisted their routine cruelties and never wavered in his devotion and loyalty to the United States. These actions served to inspire and improve the morale of his fellow prisoners in the camp. Displaying extraordinary courage, resourcefulness and devotion to duty, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. [The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.]
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Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
August 17, 1966
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Commander Gerald Leonard Coffee (NSN: 0-625308), United States Naval Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam on 17 August 1966. Commander Coffee’s captors, completely ignoring international agreements, subjected him to extreme mental and physical cruelties in an attempt to obtain military information and false confessions for propaganda purposes. Through his resistance to those brutalities, he contributed significantly toward the eventual abandonment of harsh treatment by the North Vietnamese, which was attracting international attention. By his determination, courage, resourcefulness, and devotion, Commander Coffee reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
December 1968 – January 1973
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Commander Gerald Leonard Coffee (NSN: 0-625308), United States Navy, for meritorious service while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from December 1968 to January 1973. During this period, although under constant surveillance from his captors, he performed duties involving highly classified material in an exemplary and professional manner. Through his zealousness and ingenuity, he generated new ideas and improvised techniques greatly enhancing covert operations. Although in a hostile environment, he never wavered in his devotion and loyalty to the United States and his fellow prisoners. By his inspiring courage, exceptional skill, and resourcefulness, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. [The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.]