Robert Louis Coleman

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Robert Louis Coleman, Lieutenant, U.S. Navy (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Officer In Charge of the U.S.S. LST THREE HUNDRED ELEVEN (LST-311), during the amphibious assault on Sicily, 10 July 1943. When another landing ship was struck by an aerial bomb off the beach near Gela, Lieutenant Commander Coleman, observing the ignition of a cargo of ammunition loaded on trucks, unhesitatingly brought his own vessel close aboard and fought desperately to help control the rapid spread of the flames. Forced to withdraw when his own ship became imperiled by exploding shells and realizing that the fire was inextinguishable, he returned shortly afterward, placed the bow of the LST 311 alongside the stern of the stricken vessel and rescued forty men who otherwise might have been lost. Lieutenant Coleman’s inspiring leadership and the valiant devotion to duty of his command contributed in large measure to the outstanding success of these vital missions and reflect great credit upon the United States Naval Service.

Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 325 (April 1944)