Alan Coville

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Alan Coville, United States Air Force, for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United Nations as a Pilot, 8th Fighter-Bomber Wing, Fifth Air Force, on 16 June 1952. On that date, Lieutenant Coville led a flight of four F-80 type aircraft through marginal weather to completely destroy a heavily fortified emplacement of enemy troops near Kumsong, Korea. This attack, in support of friendly forces requiring immediate assistance, took place within one hundred meters of friendly positions. Due to poor visibility and the closeness of the target to friendly positions, Lieutenant Coville made four separate passes on the target. After making his initial pass, Lieutenant Coville personally led each of the successive elements of his flight into position, despite the enemies ruse of firing target marking shells into friendly positions. Preceding each enemy aircraft to the target, Lieutenant Coville strafed the area in an effort to neutralize the intensive ground fire being received. These repeated runs were made with great risk and disregard for his own personal safety, and made it possible to effect the destruction of the enemy fortifications. Lieutenant Coville personally accounted for three bunkers destroyed, fifty yards of trench line neutralized and an undetermined number of enemy troops killed, enabling friendly forces to occupy the former enemy stronghold immediately without loss of personnel or equipment. Through his personal courage, determination and exemplary devotion to duty, Lieutenant Coville reflected great credit upon himself, the Far East Air Forces, and the United States Air Force.