Memorial

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1st Lt Harold E. Coffin graduated from Norwalk High School in 1938 and attended college for two years and was a machine operator.

He enlisted in Hartford, Connecticut on 28 December 1942. He trained at the Officers’ Candidate School at, Camp Davis, North Carolina and received his commission in August 1943.

He was awarded the Silver Star Medal posthumously for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy. The Silver Star citation reads "for gallantry in action in Germany on 12 April 1945. When his lead scouts hesitated in the face of extremely heavy enemy sniper and machine gun fire, Lt Coffin, at great risk to his life, moved to the head of his platoon and boldly made his way into the outskirts of the town which was his platoon’s objective. After he had organized his platoon Lt Coffin engaged in a bitter fire-fight with the enemy and entirely neutralized several enemy positions before he was killed himself by sniper fire."

He was killed by a gunshot wound in the back or head. There are conflicting documents about the cause of death.

His wife, Lt Velma Simpson Coffin, was a nurse with the Army Air Corps.

Lt Coffin was initially buried in a temporary grave at the Temporary American Military Cemetery of Breuna #1, Germany. After being disinterred and evacuated to Margraten he was reburied in a temporary grave on 24 July 1945. After being disinterred and after the cemetery was given a permanent status, he was given his final resting place on 27 July 1949.