World War II Honoree

Bert J. Coder

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Jackson County, Missouri

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

RANK: CORPORAL. HE WAS INDUCTED INTO THE U.S. ARMY OCTOBER 6, 1941 AT FORT LEAVENWORTH, KANSAS. SERVED IN THE SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS ASSIGNED TO THE U.S. ARMY, 503RD PARACHUTE INFANTRY REGIMENTAL ‘THE ROCK’ COMBAT TEAM. KILLED IN ACTION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 1943 DURING THE MARKHAM VALLEY, NEW GUINEA CAMPAIGN. HIS REGIMENT PERFORMED THE FIRST SUCCESSFUL AIRBORNE COMBAT JUMP IN THE PACIFIC THEATER. HE IS BURIED IN THE MANILA AMERICAN CEMETERY, FORT BONIFACIO, MANILA, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART MEDAL.