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Coon, Kenneth R.

Date of death:
1993 (Florida, United States)
Nationality:
American (1776 - present, Republic)

Biography

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Staff Sergeant (Sergeant-Major)
Unit:
Company D, 120th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division "Old Hickory", U.S. Army

Citation unavailable.
Silver Star Medal (SSM)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Staff Sergeant (Sergeant-Major)
Unit:
Company D, 120th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division "Old Hickory" (Company D, 120th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division "Old Hickory" U.S. Army)
Staff Sergeant Kenneth R. Coon, 34008878, 120th Infantry Regiment, United States Army, is awarded the Bronze Star for heroic achievement in action on 7 October 1944, in Germany. During a bitter fire fight with the enemy, Sergeant Coon's platoon was pinned down by concentrated hostile small arms fire, and accurate enemy mortar fire inflicted heavy casualties on the helpless group. At great risk to his life, Sergeant Coon voluntarily crossed an open field which was under heavy fire and led some friendly tanks back to a position where they were able to relieve the platoon. By his courageous action, Sergeant Coon saved the lives of many of his comrades who would have been wounded had the enemy fire continued. Entered military service from North Carolina.
Bronze Star  Medal (BSM)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Staff Sergeant (Sergeant-Major)
Unit:
Company D, 120th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division "Old Hickory", U.S. Army (Company D, 120th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division "Old Hickory", U.S. Army)
Technical Sergeant (then Staff Sergeant) Kenneth R. Coon, 34008878, 120th Infantry Regiment, United States Army, is awarded a bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, for wear with the Bronze Star previously awarded, for heroic achievement in action on 17 November 1944, in Germany. While endeavoring to capture an enemy hold town, Sergeant Coon, a squad leader, and the rest of his company were suddenly subjected to a strong enemy counterattack consisting of tanks and supporting infantry troops. Sergeant Coon's platoon leader, observing two enemy tanks and a considerable number of infantry bearing down the street directly towards the company positions, took Sergeant Coon and three other volunteers with him and advanced to a house along the path of the enemy's approach. Sergeant Coon and his companions opened fire on the enemy at a distance of only thirty yards, and despite direct fire from the leading tank, succeeded in disabling one tank, killing a number of the enemy infantry, and compelling the entire remaining force of tanks and infantry to turn and withdraw. Entered military service from North Carolina.

This award was obtained in the form of an Oak Leave to be attached on the ribbon of the first award.
Bronze Star  Medal (BSM)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Staff Sergeant (Sergeant-Major)
Unit:
Company D, 120th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division "Old Hickory", U.S. Army

This award was obtained in the form of a second Oak Leave to be attached on the ribbon of the first award.
Citation unavailable.
Bronze Star  Medal (BSM)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Staff Sergeant (Sergeant-Major)
Unit:
Company D, 120th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division "Old Hickory", U.S. Army

This award was obtained in the form of an Oak Leave to be attached on the ribbon of the first award.
Purple Heart
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Staff Sergeant (Sergeant-Major)
Unit:
Company D, 120th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division "Old Hickory", U.S. Army

This award was obtained in the form of a second Oak Leave to be attached on the ribbon of the first award.
Purple Heart

Sources

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