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View Full Version : U.S. James Coffman , Distinguished Service Cross, Iraq



bobdina
08-14-2009, 08:28 AM
The DSC is our Nation's second highest award for military valor, behind only the Medal of Honor. The Distinguished Service Cross was established in 1918 to honor heroism of the highest degree that did not quite merit the Medal of Honor. The Navy Cross (Navy, Marines & Coast Guard) and the Air Force Cross all join the DSC as our Nation's second highest military award






James Coffman , Jr.

* Home of record: Barrington, Mass.
*

James Coffman graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1978, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Chinese Area Studies. He subsequently earned a Master of Science degree in National Security Affairs from the Naval Postgraduate School at Monterey, California. He was also a U.S. Army Fellow at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University, Medford, MA, and attended the Boston University Overseas Program for Master of Science in International Relations in Vicenza, Italy. He is both Ranger and Special Forces qualified.

Awards and Citations

1.
Distinguished Service Cross

Awarded for actions during the Global War on Terror

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Colonel James H. Coffman, Jr., United States Army, for exceptionally valorous conduct against anti-Iraq forces while assigned as Senior Advisor, 3d Special Police Commando Battalion, Multi-National Security Transition Command-Iraq, at Mosul, Iraq, on 14 November 2004, during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM II. Colonel Coffman was part of a quick-reaction force sent to reinforce the Four West Police Station in Mosul. During the ensuing battle, despite repeatedly being uncovered to enemy fire and despite a serious injury to his left hand, he took command of the Police Commando element and led them in engaging the enemy for over four and a half hours until reinforcements arrived on the scene. Colonel Coffman's heroic actions under fire are in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflect credit upon himself, the Multi-National Security Transition Command-Iraq, and the United States Army. NARRATIVE TO ACCOMPANY AWARD Colonel Coffman distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous conduct while assigned as the Senior Advisor to the 1st Iraqi Special Police Commando Brigade during a lengthy battle on 14 November 2004 in Mosul, Iraq, during which the unit likely would have been overrun were it not for the courageous leadership of Colonel Coffman and the one Commando officer not wounded. At approximately 1030 hours on 14 November, Colonel Coffman moved with a Commando Quick Reaction Force (QRF) to reinforce a Commando platoon under attack at the Four West Police Station in Mosul. As the QRF neared the besieged platoon, it came under intense rocket-propelled grenade, mortar, machinegun, and AK-47 fire by a large insurgent force. Over the next four hours, the enemy repeatedly assaulted the Commandos' position, at times culminating their attacks twenty meters from Colonel Coffman's location. With all but one of the commando officers killed or seriously wounded by the initial enemy fire, Colonel Coffman exhibited truly inspirational leadership, rallying the Commandos and organizing a hasty defense while attempting to radio higher headquarters for reinforcements. 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. At one point, an enemy round shattered Colonel Coffman's shooting hand and rendered his M4 rifle inoperable. After bandaging his hand, Colonel Coffman picked up AK-47s from Commando casualties and fired them with his other hand until each ran out of ammunition. With the assistance of the one remaining Commando officer, Colonel Coffman redistributed ammunition among the uninjured commandos until he had only loose ammunition that he loaded by placing magazines between his legs and using his one working hand. Throughout this period, he repeatedly demonstrated exceptional courage and an extraordinary example to the commandos as they repulsed attack after attack by the enemy. Four hours after the start of the battle, a second Commando element arrived and Colonel Coffman guided them to his position. Even after their arrival, he continued to direct the fight, refusing to be evacuated until the enemy was defeated. Shortly thereafter, attack helicopters also arrived, followed closely by a Stryker Brigade QRF, and Colonel Coffman used Iraqi radios to direct air strikes and to provide vital information on the location of enemy and friendly forces. After supervising the evacuation of several dozen wounded Commandos, Colonel Coffman led a squad-sized element to the Four West Iraqi Police Station, fifty meters ahead of the Strykers, to make contact with the Commandos still in the station. After they linked up, the Strykers moved forward, and attack helicopters engaged the buildings occupied by the enemy, following which Colonel Coffman returned to his original position to ensure that all of the Iraqi casualties had been evacuated. Only then did he consent to be evacuated for surgery for his own serious wound. During the fierce four-hour battle, twelve Commandos were killed and 42 were wounded. Twenty-five enemy were killed and many dozens more were wounded. The personal courage and heroic actions displayed throughout the fight by Colonel Coffman in the face of heavy enemy fire and repeated attacks were absolutely critical to defeating the enemy force and to saving Iraqi lives. Colonel Coffman's gallantry in action was in keeping with the finest traditions of the American military and reflects great credit on him, the Multinational Force-Iraq, the U.S. Special Operations Command, and the United States of America.

Service: Army

Rank: Colonel

bobdina
08-14-2009, 08:29 AM
The Story:

Col. Coffman, a senior adviser to Iraqi special police commandos with the Multi-National Security Transition Command, was plunged into the jaws of an awaiting enemy. Under attack yet unflinching, Coffman’s determination and leadership helped rally together the inexperienced police unit, joining them together to overcome a fierce insurgent attack.

On Nov. 14, 2004, Coffman joined commando quick reaction force (QRF) that was sent to help a platoon under attack in a Mosul, Iraq, police station. The terrorists were waiting for the reinforcements; when they arrived, they hit the QRF with heavy fire, killing or seriously injuring all but one of the commando officers. Coffman rallied the remaining forces to continue the fight, and radioed for more help.

With his unit sustaining heavy losses, Coffman led by example. 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. When an enemy round shattered his left shooting hand, damaging his M4 rifle in the process, Coffman bandaged it and continued fighting with AK-47 rifles he collected from causalities. When all that remained were loose rounds, Coffman held magazines between his legs and loaded rounds with his good hand.

Coffman’s team desperately needed reinforcements, but they were slow to arrive. Valiantly holding off the insurgent attack, Coffman and his team endured until the second commando unit arrived four hours after the fight began. Coffman led them to his position and continued to fight, refusing to be evacuated for treatment for his injuries. Instead, he supervised the evacuation of injured commandos led another reinforcement group to the police station to make contact with the Iraqi police inside.

Eventually, the Coalition forces beat back the insurgents, but at a deadly price. By the end of the firefight, 12 Iraqi commandos were dead and another 24 were wounded. However, his team took at least 25 enemies with them to the grave, and left several others injured.

On Aug. 24, 2005, Coffman was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions and leadership.

nastyleg
08-18-2009, 02:54 AM
Holy Shit!!!