The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Colonel James Joseph Coolican (MCSN: 0-79762), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as the Chief of Staff, Headquarters Fleet Marine Force Europe (Designate) from August 1988 through July 1990. During this period of turbulent political change in Eastern Europe, evolving operational commitments, and changes to the framework of the North Atlantic Alliance and the Warsaw Pact, Colonel Coolican performed his demanding leadership and managerial duties in an unequivocally superior manner. As the Chief of Staff, he provided the sound judgment, attention to detail, and keen analytical sense to guide the Staff when representing and supporting the Marine Air Ground Task Force Commanders. His vast experience and expertise provided the Commanding General with expert counsel and accurately guided the Headquarters during the General’s many absences. In a theater where service and professional standards were relentlessly scrutinized, the Marine Corps was flawlessly served by the example, reputation, and skills of Colonel Coolican. By his brilliant leadership, experienced judgment, and inspiring devotion to duty, Colonel Coolican reflected great credit upon himself and the Marine Corps and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Sponsored by:
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Awards Received
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Legion of Merit
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Navy Cross
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Navy and Marine Corps Medal
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
ColonelAction Date:
August 1988 – July 1990
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Navy Cross
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
CaptainDivision:
Military Assistance Command, VietnamAction Date:
January 31, 1968
Authority: Navy Department Board of Decorations and MedalsThe President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Captain James Joseph Coolican (MCSN: 0-79762), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism in action in the city of Hue, Thua Thien Province, Republic of Vietnam on 31 January 1968. In the early morning hours, without warning, the enemy assaulted simultaneously all positions of the Hue Military Assistance Command, Vietnam Compound perimeter with 122-mm. and B-40 rockets, mortar and intense small-arms fire. Captain Coolican, with disregard for his own safety, dashed 150 meters through the hail of exploding enemy rounds to a guard post where he moved four wounded personnel to the dispensary. Within a short time, the enemy scored a direct hit on a 20-foot tower, mortally wounding the guard. Quickly, Captain Coolican ran to the tower under heavy enemy fire, recovered the wounded man and carried him down the ladder to an awaiting stretcher. After this, he returned to the tower guard post where he silenced the enemy with a fierce blanket of M-79 grenade fire. At daybreak, because of the critical condition of two wounded men, an emergency air medical rescue was planned from a landing zone approximately 400 meters from the MACV compound. Captain Coolican organized a small force and, after two futile attempts at evacuation of the wounded, he finally succeeded on the third trip and carried critically needed ammunition back to the compound. When a relief force coming to the aid of the compound was ambushed and sustained numerous casualties, Captain Coolican assembled his men and sped to the scene of intense fighting. Under unrelenting hostile fire, he skillfully directed the collection of the injured and evacuation to the Hue MACV dispensary. Throughout the battle of Hue, he skillfully effected medical evacuations under enemy observation and fire. He succeeded in saving many lives with no loss to his own force. Captain Coolican’s conspicuous gallantry, professionalism and extraordinary devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
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Navy and Marine Corps Medal
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Captain James Joseph Coolican (MCSN: 0-79762), United States Marine Corps, for heroism in connection with his successful rescue from drowning of two Army of the Republic of Vietnam soldiers on 4 August 1967. While serving as Battalion Advisor to the 2d Battalion, 3d Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, Army of the Republic of Vietnam, Captain Coolican was accompanying the battalion on a search and destroy operation in Quang Dien District, Thua Thien Province, when it was necessary for the battalion to cross a river. During the crossing, utilizing small boats obtained in the area, the boat of two heavily laden soldiers overturned, and they were thrown into the swift moving current. Tired from their previous exertions on the operation, and weighted down by their equipment, they weakened quickly and were in grave danger of disappearing beneath the surface of the water. Captain Coolican, with complete disregard for his own life in the face of the perils of the water and the two near-panic soldiers, dove, fully clothed, into the water. He swam quickly to the two men, lifted their heads above water, thereby submerging himself momentarily, and arranged them so he could safely tow them to the shore. By his willingness to risk his own life in the successful rescue of two drowning men, Captain Coolican upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.