Ralph L. Coffman
Home Town: Marceline, MO
Distinguished Service Cross
World War I
U.S. Army
General Orders No. 21, W.D., 1919
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Ralph L. Coffman, Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Breuilles, France, November 4, 1918. When his advance had been held up by an enemy machine gun, having been advised that the crew manning the gun would die rather than surrender, Sergeant Coffman alone attacked the gun. His attempt proved fatal, for he was killed before reaching the gun. His action, however, enabled his platoon . to overcome the resistance without further serious loss.