Robert Coats
* 2nd January 1918 + 7th July 2011 Capt. Coats was until March 1943 a flight instructor. Later he joined VF-18 (on USS Bunker Hill) and participated in combat activities in the Southwest Pacific, but also over Marshall and Gibert Islands. In 1944 he joined VF-17 which was abroad USS Hornet and flew against Okinawa and Tokyo. He attacked also against the biggest Japanesse battleship Yamato. He received the DFC, Air Medal, Navy Cross. |
Captain Coats is US fighter ace, credited with 9.33 confirmed victories, 6 probable, 5 damaged and 6 destroyed on ground. |