United States of AmericaList updated April 27, 2013 Country Total = 8 graves in 7 cemeteries 2 Names on 1 memorial Completed = 9 (or 90.0%)
LUTHERAN CHURCH CEMETERY, HIDE AWAY HILLS, OHIO, U.S.A. (Exhumed from Que Que Cemetery) COEY J A JOHN ALAN . Corporal . . 725702 Rhodesian Light Infantry 2 Commando, 1st Battalion Army . 19-Jul-1975 . 12-Nov-1950 24 . Killed in action, gunshot wound to brain, Operation Hurricane,
in the Kandeya Tribal Trust Land. Born in U.S.A. Son of George and Phyllis
Coey from Columbus, Ohio. Was a very devout Christian and graduate of
Ohio State University (1972). He was a noble dedicated man with spiritual
insight and political acumen with a keen perception of world affairs and
the evils of communism. John joined the Rhodesian Army in March 1972 and
became an elite member of the Rhodesian Special Air Service. John did
officer training but eventually found his niche as an Army paramedic.
In July 1974 John was posted to the RLI as a commando paramedic and participated
in over 60 fire-force missions. John helped pioneer the role of combat
medic with the RLI. By war’s end RLI had 3 medics KIA and 3 WIA.
John Coey whilst deployed with 2 Commando on Operation Hurricane in Kandeya
TTL was tragically shot by terrorists when he went to assist 2 fallen
soldiers in a riverbed. This contact resulted in 4 Rhodesian soldiers
being killed and 4 wounded. John Coey posthumously received his bravery
award in Heaven; he was a soldier of the Cross and a son of liberty. His
family and many friends sadly miss him. John’s journal and letters
have been published in a book titled ‘A Martyr Speaks’. Initialy
buried in the QueQue Cemetery, his body was exhumed at the request of
his parents and reburied in the Lutheran Cemetery, Hide Away Hills, Ohio,
USA. Ref 'Rhodesian Roll of Honour" by P Geldenhuys (Roll compiled
by Dr JRT Wood). Amendments from Rhodesian Combined Forces Roll of Honour
1966-1981, by Adrian Haggett and Gerry van Tonder. |
|
© 2004-2013 |