The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander George Thomas Coker (NSN: 0-669409), United States Naval Reserve, 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 mud bank 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. His extraordinary courage, aggressiveness in the face of the enemy, and dedication to his country reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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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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Bronze Star Medal
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Silver Star
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
August 1966 – March 1973
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Commander George Thomas Coker (NSN: 0-669409), 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 August 1966 to March 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. In an outstanding and tireless fashion, he served as Chaplain wherein he provided spiritual guidance, instilled constructive rehabilitative thinking and conducted religious services for the benefit of the other prisoners during their long internment. Despite the lack of material aids, he devoted long hours toward improving their morale and well being. His extraordinary skill, resourcefulness, and dedication to duty throughout this lengthy confinement reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. (Lieutenant Commander Coker is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant [then Lieutenant, Junior Grade]Batallion:
Attack Squadron 65 (VA-65)Division:
U.S.S. Constellation (CVA-64)Action Date:
July 1, 1966
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant [then Lieutenant, Junior Grade] George Thomas Coker (NSN: 0-669409), United States Naval Reserve, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 1 July 1966 as bombardier/navigator of a jet aircraft, serving with Attack Squadron SIXTY-FIVE, embarked in U.S.S. CONSTELLATION (CVA-64), during aerial combat operations in Southeast Asia. Lieutenant Coker’s crew was diverted from their planned mission to intercept and destroy three North Vietnamese torpedo boats which were threatening the northern group of United States destroyers in the Tonkin Gulf. His precise navigation enabled his aircraft to arrive at the scene of the attack in minimum time. With all three boats concentrating their fire on his aircraft, Lieutenant Coker expertly managed the aircraft ordnance system while calmly calling out airspeeds, altitude, and dive angle, thereby permitting his pilot to concentrate on the elusive, swift-maneuvering boats. A direct hit was scored on one of the boats, sinking it immediately, and a near-miss was achieved on a second boat which was sunk shortly thereafter by another CONSTELLATION aircraft. Lieutenant Coker’s resourcefulness, superb airmanship, and courage in the face of great danger contributed materially to the success of the mission. His performance and dedication were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
September 1966
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Commander George Thomas Coker (NSN: 0-669409), United States Navy, for heroic achievement while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam in September 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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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
July 1967
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 Lieutenant Commander George Thomas Coker (NSN: 0-669409), United States Navy, for meritorious service as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam in July 1967. 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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Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
June 1969
Authority: Navy Department Board of Decorations and MedalsThe President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Commander George Thomas Coker (NSN: 0-669409), United States Naval Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam in June 1969. Lieutenant Commander Coker’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, Lieutenant Commander Coker reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces.
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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
August 27, 1966 – March 4, 1973
Lieutenant Commander George Thomas Coker (NSN: 0-669409), United States Naval Reserve, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from August 27, 1966 until his release on March 4, 1973.