US AIRBORNE

Charles H Coates was born in 1916 in Massachusetts and died in the fight on June 6th, 1944 during the airborne operation of Normandy.

He was a Private in B company of the 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment.

His father Edward F. Coates worked in a shoe factory and his mother was named Julia. He also had 4 sisters and 2 brothers.

Pvt Coates was enlisted in the army on May 1st, 1942 in Boston. He had finished school a year ago and was married.

Pvt Coates is decorated with the Purple Heart, with the French Croix de guerre, with the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star and Arrowhead, of the World War II Victory Medal, the Honorable WWII Lapel Button service. He also has his patent of Parachute, the Combat Infantryman Badge and Presidential Distinguished Unit Emblem.

Private Charles H Coates is buried in the American cemetery of Normandy, in Colleville-sur-Mer, France. Plot J, Row 25, Grave 32.