World War II Honoree

Ernest M. Coffman

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Brackenridge, Pennsylvania

Honored By

Andrew Smith

Relationship

Grandson

WAS DRAFTED INTO THE U.S. ARMY IN 1943 AND WAS TRANSFERRED TO C BATTERY OF THE 739TH FIELD ARTILLERY BATTALION (8 INCH HOWITZER). IN JULY 1944, HE WAS SENT OVERSEAS VIA THE SS QUEEN ELIZABETH TO BRITAIN. HE WAS STATIONED IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, UNTIL HIS BATTERY LANDED IN FRANCE AT UTAH BEACH ON AUGUST 31, 1944. DURING HIS DUTY, HE FIRED UPON ISLE DE CEZEMBRE OFF OF THE COAST OF SOUTHERN NORMANDY AND SEVERAL FORTS NEAR METZ, FRANCE INCLUDING THAT OF FORT DRIANT. AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART AFTER BEING WOUNDED BY SHRAPNEL ON OCTOBER 27, 1944. THE SHRAPNEL WOUND ENDED HIS PARTICIPATION IN THE WAR. COFFMAN RETIRED FROM THE ARMY IN 1969 WITH THE RANK OF 1ST SERGEANT.