Medal of Honor: Ronald L. Coker – Vietnam War – March 24, 1969

Name: Ronald L. Coker
Rank: Private First Class
Branch: U.S. Marine Corps
War: Vietnam War
Unit: Company M, 3d Battalion, 3d Marine Division (Reinforced), FMF
Date of Action: March 24, 1969
Location: Quang Tri Province, Republic of Vietnam

Summary of Action

On 24 March 1969, Private First Class Ronald L. Coker was serving as a rifleman and point man for the 2d Platoon in Quang Tri Province.

Leading a patrol along a narrow jungle trail, he encountered five enemy soldiers. His squad pursued them to a cave complex.

As the Marines approached, they were met by intense enemy fire that seriously wounded one Marine and forced the rest of the squad to take cover.

Seeing the wounded man lying exposed in the open, Coker immediately moved into the fire-swept area to rescue him.

He was hit by enemy small-arms fire, but continued crawling forward.

Reaching a position from which he could strike back, he threw a grenade into the enemy emplacement, suppressing the fire long enough to reach the casualty.

As he began dragging the wounded Marine toward safety, another grenade landed directly on the injured man.

Without hesitation, Coker seized the grenade with both hands and turned his body away from his comrade.

The grenade exploded before he could throw it clear.

Severely wounded, he still refused to abandon the Marine.

Dragging himself and pulling the casualty behind him, Coker continued moving toward friendly lines.

Two more enemy grenades exploded nearby, causing additional wounds.

Driven only by concern for his fellow Marine, he kept crawling and pulling until the inspired aggression of his squad finally suppressed the enemy fire enough for others to reach them.

His comrades carried both men to relative safety, where Ronald L. Coker died of his wounds.

His courage, devotion, and sacrifice upheld the highest traditions of the United States Marine Corps.

Medal of Honor Citation

COKER, RONALD L.

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a rifleman with Company M in action against enemy forces. While serving as point man for the 2d Platoon, Pfc. Coker was leading his patrol when he encountered 5 enemy soldiers on a narrow jungle trail. Pfc. Coker’s squad aggressively pursued them to a cave. As the squad neared the cave, it came under intense hostile fire, seriously wounding 1 marine and forcing the others to take cover. Observing the wounded man lying exposed to continuous enemy fire, Pfc. Coker disregarded his safety and moved across the fire-swept terrain toward his companion. Although wounded by enemy small-arms fire, he continued to crawl across the hazardous area and skillfully threw a hand grenade into the enemy positions, suppressing the hostile fire sufficiently to enable him to reach the wounded man. As he began to drag his injured comrade toward safety, a grenade landed on the wounded marine. Unhesitatingly, Pfc. Coker grasped it with both hands and turned away from his wounded companion, but before he could dispose of the grenade it exploded. Severely wounded, but undaunted, he refused to abandon his comrade. As he moved toward friendly lines, 2 more enemy grenades exploded near him, inflicting still further injuries. Concerned only for the safety of his comrade, Pfc. Coker, with supreme effort continued to crawl and pull the wounded marine with him. His heroic deeds inspired his fellow marines to such aggressive action that the enemy fire was suppressed sufficiently to enable others to reach him and carry him to a relatively safe area where he succumbed to his extensive wounds. Pfc. Coker’s indomitable courage, inspiring initiative and selfless devotion to duty upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.