CoffeyGerald - 669th POW

416th Bombardment Group (L)

S/Sgt. Gerald Lemoyne Coffey

Airplane Mechanic - Gunner, 38464402

Prisoner Of War

669th Bombardment Squadron (L)

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Born: 17-Oct-1922, Dardanelle, Yell County, Arkansas

Entered Military Service: Date: 1943

POW summary:
Fail to Return Date: 27-May-1944
Captured: 27-May-1944, Vignacourt, By: Pz. Grenadier Unit 304
POW Camp: Stalag Luft 3 Sagan-Silesia Bavaria (Moved to Nuremberg-Langwasser) 49-11
Return Date: 29-Apr-1945
NARA WW II POW Data File Latest Report Date: 18-Apr-1946
NARA WW II POW Data File ID: 15282 / (PDF)

Died: 5-Mar-2012, Morrilton, Conway County, Arkansas

On-line Memorials:
National World War II Registry
Find-A-Grave

Obituary

Gerald Lemoyne Coffey
October 17, 1922 - March 5, 2012

Gerald Lemoyne Coffey age 89 of Dardanelle, Arkansas died Monday, March 5, 2012, at Brookridge Cove Nursing Home in Morrilton.

He was born October 17, 1922, at Dardanelle to the late George Lester and Era Jones Coffey.

He was a U.S. Army Air Corp Veteran and Prisoner Of War in WWII. He was a member of the First Baptist Church, Bright Star Masonic Lodge, a lifetime member of the VFW Post 3141, Boyce Woods in Dardanelle, lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans, Charter Member of the Yell County Mounted Patrol and Manager of the Port of Dardanelle for 18 years.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Mary Sue Perkins, Freda Emberson and one brother, Bill Coffey.

Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Margie Coffey of Dardanelle; one son and daughter-in-law, Tommy and Pamela Coffey of Dardanelle; sister-in-law, Sharon Coffey of Russellville; four grandchildren; nine great grandchildren and one great great grandchild.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M, Thursday, March 8, 2012, at Cornwell Funeral Chapel in Dardanelle with Pastor Mike Smith officiating. Burial will be in Brearley Cemetery in Dardanelle. Visitation will be held Wednesday, 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. in the chapel.

Honorary Pallbearers are Members of VFW Post 3141 Boyce Woods and Bright Star Masonic Lodge.

Arrangements By Cornwell Funeral Home, Dardanelle.

Online Guest Book and Condolences at www.cornwellfuneralhomes.com

Obituary provided by Cornwell Funeral Home of Dardanelle

CornwellFuneralHomes.com - Gerald Lemoyne Coffey Obituary, CornwellFuneralHomes.com (PDF)

MACR 5032 Details

Notes:
A/C Last Sighted. Lost as a result of Enemy Anti-Aircraft. Plane was seen to drop out of formation over target. Three parachutes were seen. Light flak was seen fired at parachutists on way down.

Description:
The majority of box 1 dropped on the No. 4 plane [Lt Siracusa], which, having received a direct hit by flak, salvoed its Bombs 10 seconds before the point for release. Six chutes were seen to come out of the planes flown by Lt Guillon and Lt Siracusa. ... The four crews were: Lt Allen W. Gullion Jr., S/Sgt Grady F. Cope, and S/Sgt Gerald L. Coffey; Lt Lucien J. Siracusa, S/Sgt James M. Hume, and S/Sgt Floyd E. Brown; Lt Harry E. Hewes, S/Sgt Joseph F. Kasper, and S/Sgt Harold E. Boyer; Lt Tommie J. Simms, S/Sgt Julius C. Williamson, and S/Sgt Harry W. Larsen. ... As the chutes from Lt Gullion's and Lt Siracusa's planes floated down, it was reported that light flak was fired at the parachutists from 8000 feet to the ground.
(416th BG History 1944)

See also Mission # 58

Photos and Documents

1930 US Census

1940 US Census

WW II Draft Registration
29-Jun-1942

WW II Draft Registration
29-Jun-1942

Photo

Facing Camera: Coffey; Backs to camera L-R: Cope, Wing, Hatch

MACR Capture document

Marriage Certificate
18-Aug-1945

Gerald And Margie

Headstone

Headstone

WW II Honoree

See also:
"Former POW Lemoyne Coffee recalls service as airman in World War II", By Scarlet Sims, 11-Nov-2007 CourierNews.com On-Line article (No longer available On-Line) (PDF)