Congratulations, Col. Coffman. Well done!
Posted on 08/24/2005 6:40:09 PM PDT by SmithL
WASHINGTON - An Army colonel was given the second-highest award for valor Wednesday for his actions during a furious firefight last year in Iraq when he rallied some Iraqi commandos to defend their position against an insurgent assault.
Col. James H. Coffman Jr., who was wounded during the Nov. 14 gun battle at Mosul, received the Distinguished Service Cross in a ceremony in Baghdad.
Last November, insurgents attacked several police stations in Mosul, leading to chaos in parts of the city. According to the military's account of his actions, Coffman was with a group of Iraqi commandos moving to reinforce one police station that was under attack when insurgents ambushed them.
All but one of the commando team's officers were killed or seriously wounded early in the fight, leaving Coffman, an adviser to the commandos, and the single Iraqi officer, to direct the battle.
"Coffman exhibited truly inspirational leadership, rallying the commandos and organizing a hasty defense while attempting to radio higher headquarters for reinforcements," his award reads. "Under heavy fire, he moved from commando to commando, looking each in the eye and using hand and arm signals to demonstrate what he wanted done."
During the fight, he was shot in his left hand, his shooting hand, a shot that wrecked his gun. He picked up AK-47s from the wounded Iraqis and kept shooting, using his right hand. He also redistributed ammunition among the surviving Iraqis who were with him.
The battle lasted four hours, ending only after U.S. armored vehicles and air support arrived. Coffman consented to be evacuated for medical treatment only after all of the Iraqi wounded were evacuated.
Twelve Iraqi commandos were killed as were 25 insurgents, the military said.
Coffman, a native of Lebanon, Ind., attended the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. He is married to Patricia Jane Whiteley of Berkeley, Calif.
In an interview with Associated Press Radio, Coffman said he's mostly recovered from his wound.
"I can't snap my fingers. My performance days on stage are probably over," he joked. "But it seems to be working pretty well."
The Distinguished Service Cross is second only to the Medal of Honor in recognizing bravery in combat by an Army soldier. One Medal of Honor has been awarded for actions in Iraq, to Army Sgt. 1st Class Paul Ray Smith, who was killed during a firefight near the Baghdad airport during the initial U.S.-led invasion of Iraq.
Now this is the kind of hero the press should be talking up, by gosh! Well done, Colonel Coffman!
I think a couple of stars are in his future.
Congratulations, Col. Coffman. Well done!
Attention! Present. Hand Salute.
Yet another real American hero and one who serves with Honor and Commitment. These officers don't hide behind walls that is for sure!
Thank you for posting. America needs to hear about our warriors brave deeds and needs to celebrate, honor, thank God and salute her heroes.
*ping* for a hero.
Well and truly done!
Now about four hours for air support?
DSC Salute, Bump and Applause.
Thank you...Col. James H. Coffman Jr.
Bless you~!
Nice!!
this Colonel should be applauded and promoted....
The Colonel was with Iraqi commandos, the article didn't say if he had other Americans with him. I am sure that he did. No, I am not nit picking, just curious. It seems unusual that a field grade officer would be there alone without a driver, staff assistants etc.
Anyway, Colonel, that's a job not just well done, but exemplary.
Well done, sir. My congratulations and I salute you!
WOW
We need more of these kind of stories. The MSM likes to portray our folks as victims rather than heroes.
Job well done, soldier. Salute!
Well done James Coffman! To do what you did showed real leadership and grit. Why isn't this story on the front page of every US newspaper & magazine? Why isn't it the lead story on every news show? This is a true hero story!
Hero Ping!
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