George Thomas Coker

George Thomas Coker (born July 14, 1943) is a retired United States Navy commander who was awarded the Navy Cross for extraordinary heroism as a prisoner of war (POW) during the Vietnam War.

An Eagle Scout, he is noted for his devotion to Scouting.

George Coker was born in Amarillo, Texas, on July 14, 1943.

In 1951, his family moved to Linden, New Jersey, where he became a New Jersey high school state wrestling champion in the 142 lb weight class and played high school varsity football at Saint Benedict's Preparatory School in Newark, New Jersey.

Both of Coker's older brothers were involved in Scouting and Coker first became involved when he joined Cub Scouts in late 1951.

He completed the Cubbing program and joined Troop 32.

Coker grew up in Linden, New Jersey, and became an Eagle Scout in Troop 32 of Saint Elizabeth's Catholic Church in Linden on January 27, 1959.

He has stated that his passion for Scouting is one of the things that got him through his 6.5 years as a POW in North Vietnam, to the point that at times all he could remember was the Scout Oath, but not the names of his family members.

Troop 32 had about a dozen members at that time but had over 60 members when Coker made Eagle Scout in 1959.

During this time the troop formed an Explorer Post and Sea Scout unit.

Coker attended Rutgers University from 1961 to 1963, where he also wrestled.

While at Rutgers, he participated in an aviation officer cadet program and was commissioned an ensign in the United States Navy.

After making Eagle Scout, Coker joined the Sea Scout unit and worked at Camp Winnebago BSA before the joined the Navy in October 1963.

When Coker returned to Linden after being released from captivity, the Scouts were his biggest supporter.

Troop 32 now had over 100 members.

Local citizens turned out by the hundreds to greet him.

Coker visited many of the local Scouting units.

Coker was then inactive in Scouting during a busy Naval career, but got involved again when his son joined Cub Scouts as a Tiger Cub after the family had settled in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

He became the den leader of 7 boys, all of whom earned their Arrow of Light, the highest recognition in Cub Scouting.

He joined the Navy Reserve on October 31, 1963, at Lakehurst, New Jersey, on November 13, 1963, serving until his retirement on September 30, 1986.

He entered the Naval Aviation Officer Program and was commissioned and received his Naval Flight Officer Wings on August 15, 1964.

Following graduation, he attended Basic Naval Aviation Observer (BNAO) School at NAS Pensacola, Florida, followed by advanced jet navigation training at NAS Glynco, Georgia.

He served as Naval Aviation Observer (NAO), and completed additional training as an A-6 Intruder bombardier-navigator.

In 1966, the A-6 Intruder jet on which Coker was serving as co-pilot, bombardier, and navigator, was shot down over North Vietnam.

He was held as a prisoner of war in the "Hanoi Hilton" and other camps for six and a half years.

He deployed to Vietnam in 1966 with Attack Squadron 65 (VA-65) aboard the USS Constellation (CV-64).

On June 30, his first deployment, Coker took part in a 19-aircraft attack on a radar control facility in Kép, 38 mi northeast of Hanoi.

In the face of flak, automatic weapons fire and extremely difficult weather conditions, Coker directed the pilot, navigated his aircraft, managed the ordnance system and used his electronic countermeasures equipment to provide protection for the strike group.

The attack inflicted significant damage on the well-protected and dug-in radar station and its equipment, with all three radar stations out of operation and the target described as "obliterated".

For his actions, Coker was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat "V".

After his release from Vietnam, he returned to college and graduated from the University of San Diego in 1976 with a BS in political science.

He studied education and mathematics at Old Dominion University from 1982 to 1986.

Coker is married and has three children; two daughters and a son, Theresa, Elizabeth, and Thomas Jr.

After his release, he continued to serve in the Navy until his retirement in 1986.

They moved on to Troop 62, Virginia Beach, in May 1994; with five of them later becoming Eagle Scouts, including his son.

Troop 62's adults asked Coker to become Scoutmaster, a position in which he served for several years.

Coker is also a Vigil Honor member of the Order of the Arrow (OA).

Coker served as the lodge adviser for Tidewater Council's OA lodge, Blue Heron Lodge, from December 2005 until December 2007.

He was honored by the Boy Scouts of America with their Distinguished Eagle Scout Award on August 9, 2005.

Coker served as a U.S. Naval flight officer for twenty-three years.