The Story:
Col. Coffman, a senior adviser to Iraqi special police commandos with the Multi-National Security Transition Command, was plunged into the jaws of an awaiting enemy. Under attack yet unflinching, Coffman’s determination and leadership helped rally together the inexperienced police unit, joining them together to overcome a fierce insurgent attack.
On Nov. 14, 2004, Coffman joined commando quick reaction force (QRF) that was sent to help a platoon under attack in a Mosul, Iraq, police station. The terrorists were waiting for the reinforcements; when they arrived, they hit the QRF with heavy fire, killing or seriously injuring all but one of the commando officers. Coffman rallied the remaining forces to continue the fight, and radioed for more help.
With his unit sustaining heavy losses, Coffman led by example. Under heavy fire, he moved from commando to commando, looking each in the eye and using hand and arm signals to demonstrate what he wanted done. When an enemy round shattered his left shooting hand, damaging his M4 rifle in the process, Coffman bandaged it and continued fighting with AK-47 rifles he collected from causalities. When all that remained were loose rounds, Coffman held magazines between his legs and loaded rounds with his good hand.
Coffman’s team desperately needed reinforcements, but they were slow to arrive. Valiantly holding off the insurgent attack, Coffman and his team endured until the second commando unit arrived four hours after the fight began. Coffman led them to his position and continued to fight, refusing to be evacuated for treatment for his injuries. Instead, he supervised the evacuation of injured commandos led another reinforcement group to the police station to make contact with the Iraqi police inside.
Eventually, the Coalition forces beat back the insurgents, but at a deadly price. By the end of the firefight, 12 Iraqi commandos were dead and another 24 were wounded. However, his team took at least 25 enemies with them to the grave, and left several others injured.
On Aug. 24, 2005, Coffman was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions and leadership.