Remembering CTO3 James Michael Coon, USN, KIA ISO Vietnam

Born in Van Wert, Ohio on December 16, 1951, James Coon was the son of Mr. and Mrs. John W Coon and he had five siblings, Nick, Robert, Jan Marie (his twin), Brenda and Gordon. A 1970 graduate of Van Wert High School, James was a member of the football team, track team, tennis team and wrestling team, the marching band and the high school orchestra. James enlisted in the Navy shortly after graduating High School and was killed on December 12, 1971, four days before his 20th birthday en route USS Enterprise (CVAN 65).

On December 12, 1971, a Fleet Tactical Support Squadron FIFTY (VRC-50) Detachment Cubi Point, Philippines C-2A “Greyhound” aircraft, RG-407, took off from Naval Air Station Cubi Point en route Tan Son Nhut airbase Saigon, Vietnam. On board the flight were the C-2A crew, comprised of four members of the VRC-50 squadron, CTO3 James Coon and four other Cryptologic Technicians (CTs) stationed at Naval Communications Station (NAVCOMSSTA) San Miguel, Philippines, and one CT from Naval Security Group Activity (NSGA) Misawa, Japan.