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First Name: Alexander

Last Name: Coles

Birthplace:

Gender: Male

Branch: Navy (present)

Rating:

Home of Record: Salem, NJ




Date of Birth: 15 January 1946

Date of Death: 23 January 1967

Rank or Rate: Hospitalman

Years Served:
Alexander Coles, Jr.

   
Engagements:
•  Vietnam War (1960 - 1973)

Biography:

Alexander Coles, Jr.

Hospital Corpsman, U.S. Navy

Alexander Coles, Jr. was born on 15 January 1946.

On 23 January 1967, Hospital Corpsman Alexander Coles, Jr. was serving with Headquarters & Service Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division, III Marine Amphibious Force, in Quang Nam Province, South Vietnam.

On that day, HN Coles was killed in action when he sustained wounds from small arms fire. His body was recovered.

Medals and Badge

Silver Star Medal
Navy Corpsman Badge
Purple Heart
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal

Citation:

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Silver Star Medal (Posthumously) to Alexander Coles, Jr. (8404067), Hospitalman, U.S. Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against a hostile force while serving as a Corpsman with Company D, First Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in action on 23 January 1967, in the Republic of Vietnam. When the second platoon of Company D was brought under a withering barrage of enemy small arms fire, and sustained several casualties, Petty Officer Coles quickly moved from his position in the rear squad to the front where the casualties were located. Unhesitatingly, he rushed into the open rice paddy, completely oblivious of the intense fire he was drawing, and treated the first wounded man he spotted, who was lying in a completely exposed position. After treating the casualty, Petty Officer Coles pinpointed another seriously wounded Marine, and began to crawl, still further into the exposed position to give aid to the fallen comrade. In a valiant attempt to reach the wounded man, Petty Officer Coles was fatally wounded when struck by enemy gunfire. By his courageous actions, complete disregard for his own safety, and selfless devotion to duty, he upheld the finest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Honors

The name Alexander Coles Jr is located on Panel 14E Line 69 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=95774212



Honoree ID: 8155   Created by: MHOH

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