World War II Honoree

Roy Winchester Coker

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Georgia

Honored By

Anne Hilborn

Relationship

Friend

JUNE 2, 1941, COMMISSIONED AS A 2ND LIEUTENANT IN INFANTRY; JULY 29, 1941, REPORTED FOR ACTIVE DUTY, ASSIGNED TO 751ST TANK BATTALION, PLATOON LEADER, 3RD PLATOON, COMPANY A; JUNE 15, 1942, TRANSFERRED TO TROOP E, 16TH CAVALRY REGIMENT, MECHANIZED; JUNE 20, 1942, PROMOTED TO 1ST LIEUTENANT, EXECUTIVE OFFICER, MOTOR OFFICER; MAY OF 1943, ATTENDED CAVALRY SCHOOL, FORT RILEY, KANSAS; JUNE OF 1943, ASSIGNED AS COMMANDER, TROOP E, 16TH CAVALRY REGIMENT, MECHANIZED; JULY AND AUGUST 1943, TENNESSEE MANEUVERS; OCTOBER OF 1943, 16TH CAVALRY REGIMENT TRANSFERRED TO FT. DEVENS, MASSACHUSETTS. THE 16TH CAVALRY REGIMENT WAS RE-ORGANIZED INTO THE 16TH AND 19TH RECONNAISSANCE SQUADRONS, MECHANIZED, BECAME COMPANY COMMANDER OF F TROOP, 16TH CAVALRY RECONNAISSANCE SQUADRON; NOVEMBER 20, 1943, PROMOTED TO CAPTAIN; NOVEMBER 21, 1943 TO MAY 25, 1944 THE COMPANY WAS STATIONED AT BURLINGAME ST. FOREST, WESTERLY, RHODE ISLAND; MAY 26, 1944 TO NOVEMBER 14, 1944 CAMP PICKETT, VIRGINIA; JULY AND AUGUST OF 1944, A. P. HILL MILITARY RESERVATION IN VIRGINIA; NOVEMBER 15 TO NOVEMBER 27 1944 CAMP SHANK, NEW YORK AND ABOARD HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH, BOUND FOR EUROPEAN THEATRE OF OPERATIONS; NOVEMBER 27, 1944 TO FEBRUARY 25, 1945 TROWBRIDGE, SOUTHERN ENGLAND; FEBRUARY 26, 1945, CROSSED THE ENGLISH CHANNEL TO LE HAVRE, FRANCE UNDER DARKNESS ON LANDING SHIP; FEBRUARY 27 TO MAY 8, 1945 COMBAT DUTY, EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS; MAY 8, 1945, GERMANY SURRENDERED, COMPANY F, 16TH CAVALRY (MECHANIZED) WAS IN ROSRATH, GERMANY. JUNE 22-AUGUST 14, 1945, IN TENT CAMP NEAR MARSEILLES, FRANCE PREPARING TO GO TO PACIFIC AREA OF OPERATIONS; AUGUST 15, 1945, SAILED FROM MARSEILLES, FRANCE ABOARD GENERAL BRECKENRIDGE, DESTINATION PHILIPPINE ISLANDS; AUGUST 15, 1945, JAPAN SURRENDERS. IN MIDDLE OF ATLANTIC, DESTINATION CHANGES TO NEW YORK; AUGUST 28, 1945, ARRIVED NEW YORK; AUGUST 31, 1945, ASSIGNED TO FORT GORDON, GEORGIA; OCTOBER 15 TO DECEMBER 12, 1945 ASSIGNED TO FT. HOOD, TEXAS; MARCH 12, 1946 OFFICIAL DISCHARGE AS MAJOR.