Harry
Jay Coates, Jr. was born September 28, 1931, to Harry and Helen
Coates in Yankton, South Dakota. He had three siblings: JoAnn,
John, and Gene Coates. Harry grew up in Yankton and among his
passions was football. First, he played football at Yankton High
School and later he played at the University of Minnesota, from
where he graduated in 1954. In December of 1955, Harry married
his wife, Marilyn, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They later had two
children: Lisa and Scott. Harry was known as a people person; he
“was very active, played handball, football, tennis, loved his
family, loved to travel…” according to his daughter, Lisa. His
love of life contributed to his having many interests.
After graduation Harry was
trained as a pilot in the United States Air Force at Webb Air
Force Base in Big Spring, Texas. After additional training,
Coates then served as a Flight Commander and instructing in jet
trainers for an Air Refueling Squadron in Shreveport, Louisiana.
In 1965, Harry was an Air Attache with the American Embassy in
Beirut, Lebanon. While he and his family were stationed there,
they traveled a great deal, including to Turkey, Greece, Egypt,
and Italy.
On September 28, 1969, Major
Coates, nicknamed ‘Pepper,’ was sent overseas to Chu Lai, South
Vietnam, from Barksdale Air Force Base in Shreveport, Louisiana.
Major Coates was part of the 20th Tactical Air
Support Squadron. During his time in Vietnam Major Coates wrote
many letters home to his family. In a letter dated October 30,
1969, his opening line was “Hello My Sweet Heart, the rain is
pouring down outside and I’m dripping inside. This place is
something else again when it comes to downpours. Have never seen
it rain so hard for so long.” The letter went on to relate
details of his recent combat sortie:
Directed fighters for the first time. We hit
some sampans in a known V.C. area plus buildings. Brought
the fighters in on the complex and they drew some ground
fire. Someone shot a rocket propelled grenade which exploded
just behind and under the fighters. After the fighters
called in artillery to continue the job. Quite an
experience, I’ve now got the feeling that the war is on.
He went
on to talk about a rocket attack by the V.C. on his base. He
even sent some of the shrapnel home to his son, Scott. Major
Coates wrote that the rocket attacks were “more to harass than
for the killing effect. Just like to keep the boys awake and
wondering.” His letter also indicated how much he missed his
family:
You
wrote of a kettle of soup on the stove, can almost smell and
taste the soup. Would give a lot to sit down to dinner with
you and our two. Think our suppers have been some of our
warmest family moments. It feels good to think of things we
both treasure, like our moments together. It makes this
separation bearable to think that someday we will do those
things again….
Just
days later, on November 4, 1969, Major Harry Coates, Jr. was
killed in action while piloting a North American OV-10 Bronco
aircraft on a forward air control mission in Vietnam. He was
shot down as he was “directing tactical fighter aircraft and
helicopter gunships against hostile positions and forces and
relieving a beleaguered friendly ground unit.” The family was
notified by Chaplain Ike Barnett from Barksdale AFB, as he was a
family friend. On November 13, 1969, the Chaplain conducted a
memorial service in Chapel 1 at the base. He started with these
words: “What can I say about the closest personal friend that I
have had at Barksdale AFB other than that he would not have been
such a close personal friend had he not been the man that he
was.”
The
body of Major Harry Coates was returned to the United States and
buried with military honors in Arlington National Cemetery. His
name is also on the Vietnam War Memorial Wall. Major Coates
received the Purple Heart, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air
Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, National Defense
Service Medal, and the Vietnam Service Medal.
He is
currently survived by his wife, Marilyn Coates Applequist of
Minneapolis, Minnesota; his son, Scott Coates of San Francisco;
his daughter, Lisa Coates of Minneapolis; his sister, JoAnn
Nicholls of Yankton; his brother, John F. Coates of Washington,
D.C.; and his other brother, Gene Coates of Madison, Wisconsin.
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Dedication Promotional Video
