World War II Honoree

Chester A. Coker

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Cleveland, Pawnee County, Oklahoma

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

ENLISTED IN MILITARY SERVICE IN 1942. TRAINED IN THE AMERICAN THEATER AT SHEPPARD FIELD AT WICHITA FALLS, TEXAS; AND MACDILL FIELD AT TAMPA, FLORIDA. SERVED OVERSEAS IN THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER, INCLUDING IN NEW GUINEA; ON THE FRENCH ISLAND OF NEW CALEDONIA ON THE NORTHEAST APPROACH TO AUSTRALIA; ON BIAK ISLAND OFF THE NORTHWEST COAST OF NEW GUINEA; IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS; AND ON OKINAWA IN THE RYUKYU ISLANDS, DURING THE WAR. SERVED WITH OCCUPATION FORCES IN JAPAN AFTER THE END OF HOSTILITIES. AWARDED THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 4 BRONZE SERVICE STARS, WWII VICTORY MEDAL, AND ARMY OF OCCUPATION MEDAL WITH ‘JAPAN’ CLASP. ALSO AWARDED THE PHILIPPINE LIBERATION MEDAL WITH 1 BRONZE SERVICE STAR FOR SERVICE IN THE LIBERATION OF THE PHILIPPINES. TECHNICAL SERGEANT COKER CONTINUED IN U.S. ARMY SERVICE AFTER THE WAR UNTIL HONORABLY DISCHARGED. ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON.