Charles F. Coates – Colonel, United States Army

Courtesy of Catherine D. Coates, the Colonel’s Daughter: May 2008

Colonel Charles F. Coates, United States Army, retired, passed away March 29, 1998 at Inova Mount Vernon Hospital, Virginia. He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Colonel Coates was a native of Burlington, Iowa and a graduate of the University of Arizona and numerous military schools.

During World War II, he served as an Infantry Battalion Commander, 33rd Division, Southwest Pacific Theater, fighting in Leyte, Luzon and for the liberation of the Philippines.

Following the war, he was stationed in Taiwan and Italy, and then commanded the 38th Infantry Regiment and the 39th Battle Group.

His last assignment before his retirement in 1962 was as the Assistant Commandant of the Air Ground Operations School at Keesler Air Force Base. He retired to Tucson, Arizona, where he was a military advisor for Lockheed Aircraft and Bell Aerospace.

Colonel Coates was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star and Purple Heart.

His wife, Anne Murphy Coates, passed away in 1990.

Survivors include their three children, Ms. Catherine Coates of Alexandria, Virginia and her daughter, Diana Charlene; Ms. Linda Coates Horton of Tucson, Arizona, and her children, Heidi and Andrew; and Lieutenant Colonel Charles F. Coates, Jr., United States Army (retired) of Alexandria, Virginia.


COATES, CHARLES F., COLONEL, UNITED STATES ARMY (retired)

On Sunday, March 29, 1998, at Mt. Vernon Hospital, beloved husband of the late Anne M. Coates; loving father of Linda Coates Horton, Buck Coates and Catherine Coates. Also survived by two grandchildren.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday at 10:15 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 310 South Royal Street, Alexandria, Virginia. Interment Arlington National Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, One St. Jude Place Building, PO Box 1000, Dept. 300, Memphis, Tennessee 38148-0552.

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