World War II Honoree

Robert Harold Coffey, Sr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

ENTERED MILITARY SERVICE IN 1943. SERVED AS A GLIDER PILOT IN THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN THEATER. FLEW IN OPERATION MARKET-GARDEN IN HOLLAND IN SEPTEMBER, 1944 DURING THE RHINELAND CAMPAIGN. THE OPERATION WAS THE LARGEST ALLIED AIRBORNE ASSAULT THAT HAD YET BEEN CONDUCTED, WITH THE OBJECTIVE TO CAPTURE BRIDGES OVER DUTCH WATERWAYS AND OPEN A NORTHERN ROUTE FOR THE ALLIED ADVANCE INTO GERMANY. AWARDED THE AIR MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED IN 1945 AND ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON.