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SSG Justin Davis
to remember
Coffman, William E., T/3.
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Home Town Davis
Date of Passing Jun 30, 1984
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TECHNICIAN THIRD GRADE WILLIAM E. COFFMAN WAS IN HIS SECOND YEAR OF COLLEGE BEFORE ENTERING THE SERVICE ON 27 FEBRUARY 1943. HE SERVED WITH THE MEDICAL DETACHMENT, 136TH INFANTRY REGIMENT, 33RD INFANTRY DIVISION FROM 15 JULY 1943 TO DECEMBER 1945. AFTER RETURNING TO THE U.S. T/3 COFFMAN WAS HONORABLY DISCHARGED ON 11 JANUARY 1946 AT CAMP ATTERBURY INDIANA. WILLIAM COFFMAN PASSED AWAY IN JUNE 1984 AT BALLWIN MISSOURI.
Description (New Guinea Campaign 24 January 1943 to 31 December 1944) After the loss of Buna and Gona in New Guinea, the Japanese fell back on their stronghold at Lae. Their attempt to reinforce Lae by sea in March 1943 met with disaster when American and Australian planes sank most of the convoy in the Battle of the Bismarck Sea. Salamaua and Lae then became the objectives for an Allied advance along the northern coast of New Guinea. Fifth Air Force bombers attacked airfields at Wewak, 300 miles west of Lae, to neutralize them. The Allies dropped paratroops at Nadzab, just beyond Lae. Enemy resistance at Salamaua broke on 14 September 1943; Lae fell two days later. In the months that followed, MacArthur’s forces pushed westward, capturing some Japanese strongholds and bypassing others. After taking Hollandia in April 1944, the Allies attacked islands off the northern coast of New Guinea, taking Wakde and Biak in May, Owi in June, and Noemfoor in July. Sansapor on New Guinea also was gained in July. Aerial attacks on the Philippines began in August, and Morotai was seized in October to provide air bases for the invasion of the Philippines. Allied planes also bombed the oil center at Balikpapan and other targets in Borneo and Celebes.
