Posted by XXXXXXXXXX on April 23, 2008:

Charles Eads Coons NO. 16519 CLASS OP 1948 KILLED IN ACTION, MAY 19, 1951, IN KOREA AGED 24 YEARS CAITAIN CHARLES EADS COONS, USAP, was leading a strafing run on a communist supply truck when his P-80 was hit by antiaircraft fire. He was killed instantly on this, his thirty-ninth, combat mission. At the time of his death he was participating in Korean Operations as a member of the 9th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 49th Fighter-Bomber Group. His untimely passing ended the brief career of an outstanding officer, a man who was respected and admired by all the officers and airmen with whom he served. Charlie was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Allen Coons of Fort Smith, Arkansas. He received his early education in public and private schools in Chicago, Illinois. The family then moved to East Orange, New Jersey, where Chuck enrolled in East Orange High School. There he demonstrated traits of leadership early in life as President of the Student Organization, Art Club, and the East Orange Hi-Y. Charlie was equally outstanding as a student. He received the American Legion Award for Highest Scholastic Honors and graduated from high school in 1944, as Valedictorian of his class. His academic and physical achievement enabled him to attain entrance easily to the United States Military Academy in 1944, an ambition which had burned within him since early childhood. Most of us who were to know Chuck intimately first met him during Plebe Year. We first remember him as an affable, pleasant young man who had the gift of living life easily. His circle of friends, whom he affectionately called "his buddies", grew with each passing year. Those not privileged to know him well will doubtless remember him as Art Editor of the Pointer magazine for two years. His amusing Pointer covers conveyed cadet attitudes and events in a witty, subtle fashion that left all readers with a lasting impression of Chuck's artistic talents. As an athlete Charlie was an accomplished member of the Varsity Gym Team, specializing on the parallel bars. To round out further his activities at West Point Chuck attained the cadet rank of Sergeant-Major. Although he devoted much of his spare time to the Pointer and the Varsity Gym Team, he maintained his high academic standing easily and graduated 48th in his class. After graduation from West Point Chuck chose service in the Air Force and entered Basic Flight Training at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas. During this period he went out of his way to avoid any serious romances that might lead to marriage. He Beemed to feel that he needed a few more answers to the business of running his own life before he was ready to assume that responsibility for another. This attitude, in addition to the skill he manifested in Basic Flight Training, led to his selection of The Fighter School at Las Vegas, Nevada, for Advanced Flight Training. He successfully won his wings as a jet fighter pilot and was assigned to duty with the 83rd Fighter Interceptor Squadron, 78th Fighter Wing, Hamilton Air Force Base, California. In this assignment he gained added proficiency and skill and, as soon as he felt he was ready, he volunteered for combat duty in Korea. After only ten missions Chuck had his own flight, and as Flight Leader he received the Distinguished Flying Cross for leading his flight on a highly successful railhead attack in the vicinity of Sinuiju, Korea. The citation reads: "First Lieutenant Charles E. Coons distinguished himself by extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on May 12, 1951. He displayed outstanding airmanship and navigational skill when he led his flight through below marginal weather over hazardous mountain terrain direct to the target area in the vicinity of Sinuiju, Korea. Armed with rockets and machine guns. Lieutenant Coons led his flight in an attack against a supply train located In the marshalling yards, pressing successive attacks despite intense anti-aircraft and automatic weapons fire. Lieutenant Coons personally destroyed eight (8) supply laden box cars and damaged six (6) more. He also strafed a fuel truck that exploded immediately. In the same vicinity, there were troops in fox holes and of the thirty (30) killed. Lieutenant Coons accounted for fifteen (15). Having assembled his flight, he then proceeded to lead it through intermittent rain showers to his home base. As a result of this highly successful mission, vital supplies and fuel failed to reach enemy front lines. By his personal courage and devotion to duty, Lieutenant Coons has brought credit to himself, The Far East Air Forces, and The United States Air Force." Chuck is now interred in the National Cemetery at Fort Smith, Arkansas. Although he has joined the Long Gray Line earlier than most of us, he has, during the space of his short career, more than lived up to the highest traditions of West Point. We who follow behind you, Chuck, only hope that we may carry our responsibilities as well as you have carried yours. — J. A. E. and W. R. Q.

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