Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Temporary Major

Unit:

ME76 (Hungarian Section), Special Operations Executive (SOE), British Government

Awarded on:

October 4th, 1945

Citation:
Capt Coates was dropped by parachute into Hungary on 13 September 1944 in command of a small group with a special mission. Through the arrest of one of his party he was captured and imprisoned. For a period of several months he was subjected to a series of interrogations by Hungarian and German police, which included physical torture. During this period Capt Coates showed unfailing bodily courage and strength of mind. He not only kept the real purpose of his mission secret but succeeded in leading his captors off the scent, thus undoubtedly saving his party from being shot out of hand.

By his sterling example Capt Coates encouraged the other members of his group to stand up to their interrogators and by his unfailing alertness and resourcefulness he was able to animate the resistance shown by his party under the most brutal treatment. While in prison in Budapest Capt Coates organised the escape of two other British officers with great skill and courage and then escaped himself. He hid himself and another officer in spite of continuous searches, and was finally successful in making his way at great personal risk through the Russian lines, bringing with him a great deal of useful information.

During a period of four months Capt Coates showed physical and moral courage of the highest degree. His leadership and sense of responsibility were worthy of the highest praise and it is due to his cleverness and resolution that the remainder of his party were saved from death".

WO 373/59/0025