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| Coker was considered one of "the baddest of the baddest" of the POWs, a reference to his fierce resistance to his captivity.{{ref|Baddest}} Coker and ] Captain George McKnight (another of the "baddest") were cellmates for awhile and were the only POWs to ever escape from the Hao Lo Prison ("]"). They swam down the ], hid in the mud, and were recaptured 12 1/2 hours later.{{ref|Escape}} | Coker was considered one of "the baddest of the baddest" of the POWs, a reference to his fierce resistance to his captivity.{{ref|Baddest}} Coker and ] Captain George McKnight (another of the "baddest") were cellmates for awhile and were the only POWs to ever escape from the Hao Lo Prison ("]"). They swam down the ], hid in the mud, and were recaptured 12 1/2 hours later.{{ref|Escape}} | ||
| His homecoming and story play a key part in the ] '']''. | |||
| Vietnam–era POWs were released in order of capture. Fellowes and Coker were in the second large release group and were about #123 and #124.{{ref|Release}} Of their 2,382 days in captivity (6 1/2 years), 2 1/2 years were in solitary confinement and 2 1/2 years in the "Hanoi Hilton". They spent time in several other POW camps around Hanoi also. | Vietnam–era POWs were released in order of capture. Fellowes and Coker were in the second large release group and were about #123 and #124.{{ref|Release}} Of their 2,382 days in captivity (6 1/2 years), 2 1/2 years were in solitary confinement and 2 1/2 years in the "Hanoi Hilton". They spent time in several other POW camps around Hanoi also. | ||
Revision as of 22:20, 17 January 2006
George Thomas Coker (born July 14 1943 in Amarillo, Texas) is a retired United States Navy Commander noted for his leadership as a POW during the Vietnam War and his devotion to Scouting.
Personal information
Coker was a New Jersey high school state wrestling champion in the 142lb weight class, played high school varsity football, and wrestled in college. He attended Rutgers University from 1961-1963, graduated from the University of San Diego in 1976 with a BS in Political Science, and studied education and mathematics at Old Dominion University from 1982-1986.
The Scouting life
Coker grew up in Linden, New Jersey and became an Eagle Scout in Troop 32 of Saint Elizabeth's Catholic Church in Linden on January 27, 1959. His passion for Scouting is one of the things that got him through his 6 1/2 years as a POW in North Vietnam, and he states that it is what got him through his darkest days in the POW camps – to the point that at times all he could remember was the Scout Oath, but not even the names of his family members. Coker is a former long-time Scoutmaster of Troop 62 in Virginia Beach, Virginia, where he has lived since the 1970s, and a Vigil Honor member of the Order of the Arrow (OA). Currently he serves as the Lodge Advisor for the Blue Heron Lodge of the OA.
Military service
Coker served as a Naval Aviation Officer for 23 years in the US Navy from 1963–1986. He was serving as a Bombardier–Navigator of an A–6A Intruder from squadron VA–65 operating from the USS Constellation (CV-64), when he and his pilot, John H. "Jack" Fellowes, were shot down over North Vietnam on August 27, 1966. He was not released until March 4, 1973. During his captivity, he was, and still is, recognized as a leader of the POW resistance movement. A fellow POW, CDR Paul Galanti, said "George is one of my heroes...the real reason North Vietnam gave in (on the POW issue) was they wanted to get rid of George". Coker was one of the fiercest resistors of his captors. In a scene from the 1997 movie Faith of Our Fathers, a biography of Senator John McCain, McCain's character attempts to memorize the names of fellow POWs. Coker is one of the names he recites in the movie and book.
Coker was considered one of "the baddest of the baddest" of the POWs, a reference to his fierce resistance to his captivity. Coker and Air Force Captain George McKnight (another of the "baddest") were cellmates for awhile and were the only POWs to ever escape from the Hao Lo Prison ("Hanoi Hilton"). They swam down the Red River, hid in the mud, and were recaptured 12 1/2 hours later.
Vietnam–era POWs were released in order of capture. Fellowes and Coker were in the second large release group and were about #123 and #124. Of their 2,382 days in captivity (6 1/2 years), 2 1/2 years were in solitary confinement and 2 1/2 years in the "Hanoi Hilton". They spent time in several other POW camps around Hanoi also.
Military decorations
- Navy Cross
- Silver Star
- Legion of Merit + Combat V
- Distinguished Flying Cross
- Bronze Star, two, + Combat V
- Air Medal, five
- Meritorious Service Award
- Navy Commendation, three, + Combat V
- Purple Heart, two
- Combat Action Ribbon
- Navy Unit Commendation
- National Defense Service Medal
- Vietnam Service Medal
- POW Medal
Later in life
Coker has been involved in supporting ex-POWs for many years. In December 2004, he was elected Commander of his local POW chapter, the Tidewater ex-POW Association. Coker is also active in church and civic activities.
References
- Template:Harvard reference
- Award speech by George Thomas Coker accepting his Distinguished Eagle Scout Award, Aug 9, 2005, Norfolk Waterside Marriott, Norfolk, VA
- Galanti praising Coker
- Senator John McCain's letter of endorsement to Coker's Distinguished Eagle Scout nomination, June 1, 2005
- Faith of Our Fathers
- Baddest of the baddest
- Coker's POWnet record
- email from George Thomas Coker to Randy Everette, May 5, 2005