World War II Honoree

James L. Coatney

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Louisville, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON AUGUST 20, 1943 AT FORT CUSTER, MICHIGAN. TRAINED AS AN AERIAL GUNNER AT LAS VEGAS, NEVADA AND DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL U.S. ON JULY 14, 1944 BOUND FOR THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS. FLEW COMBAT MISSIONS THROUGH THE NORTHERN FRANCE, ARDENNES AND RHINELAND CAMPAIGNS. EARNED THE ARMY AIR FORCES AIRCREW MEMBER BADGE (WINGS), THE AIR MEDAL WITH 3 OAK LEAF CLUSTERS, THE AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 3 BRONZE BATTLE STARS, THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL AND THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A STAFF SERGEANT ON DECEMBER 20, 1945 AT TINKER FIELD, OKLAHOMA.