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(J. Russell Coffey) 1 of last remaining U.S. World War I veterans dies
wdtn.com ^ | December 21, 2007

Posted on 12/20/2007 11:01:17 PM PST by lunarbicep

The last World War One veteran in Ohio -- and 1 of 3 known remaining U.S. veterans from World War I -- has died.

A funeral home says J. Russell Coffey died yesterday at the age of 109.

Coffey has been living in the Blakely Care Center in North Baltimore.

Coffey didn't see action overseas. He enlisted in the Army while he was a student at Ohio State University in October 1918, a month before the Allied powers and Germany signed a cease-fire agreement.

Coffey played semipro baseball, earned a doctorate in education from New York University, taught in high school and college and raised a family.

He drove his car until he was 104. He lived on his own until three years ago.

Funeral services for Coffey will be held tomorrow.


TOPICS: Miscellaneous; US: Ohio
KEYWORDS: obituary; veteran; wwi
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1 posted on 12/20/2007 11:01:19 PM PST by lunarbicep
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To: lunarbicep

With all due respect - does it really count if you enlist less than a month before the war ends? I mean, he couldn’t have even been in-processed in that time, could he have been?


2 posted on 12/20/2007 11:36:04 PM PST by furquhart (John S. McCain for President)
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To: lunarbicep

http://www.ww2aircraft.net/forum/world-war-i/108-ohio-man-select-company-those-who-ve-touched-history-5371.html


3 posted on 12/20/2007 11:38:23 PM PST by Westlander (Unleash the Neutron Bomb)
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To: furquhart
He did not see action.

Frank Woodruff Buckles, age 106, is the last living WWI U.S. veteran to finish basic training and be stationed overseas prior to the end of the war.

There's only one left who actually was stationed overseas in WWI.

One.

4 posted on 12/20/2007 11:40:36 PM PST by Luke Skyfreeper
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To: Luke Skyfreeper

He turns 107 on February 1st.


5 posted on 12/20/2007 11:41:59 PM PST by Luke Skyfreeper
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To: Luke Skyfreeper
There's only one left who actually was stationed overseas in WWI.

Lately it has occured to me that mortality sucks. I would be lying if I said that I am not afraid of it.

6 posted on 12/20/2007 11:44:43 PM PST by lafroste (gravity is not a force. See my profile to read my novel absolutely free (I know, beyond shameless))
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To: Luke Skyfreeper

And actually, Buckles (though he served in France as a driver for officers) did not see combat.

So all of the American WWI combat veterans are gone now.


7 posted on 12/20/2007 11:46:39 PM PST by Luke Skyfreeper
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To: lafroste

Doesn’t mortality suck?


8 posted on 12/20/2007 11:47:15 PM PST by Luke Skyfreeper
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To: lafroste

Yes indeed, it sucks.


9 posted on 12/20/2007 11:55:03 PM PST by Gator113 (My short list..Fred, Hunter, Romney.)
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To: lunarbicep

RIP.


10 posted on 12/21/2007 12:36:34 AM PST by fieldmarshaldj (~~~Jihad Fever -- Catch It !~~~ (Backup tag: "Live Fred or Die"))
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To: furquhart
does it really count if you enlist less than a month before the war ends?

Did he know it was going to end at that point?

11 posted on 12/21/2007 3:47:01 AM PST by pnh102
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To: furquhart

Yes, I believe it counts. He enlisted with an expectation of fighting for his country. Good enough for me.


12 posted on 12/21/2007 6:04:54 AM PST by Frank_Discussion (May the wings of Liberty never lose a feather!)
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To: lunarbicep

When you consider everything he did witness during his life, across the entire spectrum, its pretty staggering.

Rest in Peace, thank you for your service.


13 posted on 12/21/2007 6:06:32 AM PST by Badeye (No thanks, Huck, I'm not whitewashing the fence for you this election cycle)
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To: furquhart

It counts. He was a member of the US military during WWI no matter where he served or how long he served. With all due respect, what’s your problem?


14 posted on 12/21/2007 6:07:41 AM PST by kabar
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To: lunarbicep
The shame is that there is only a single memorial and museum in the country dedicated solely to the First World War.

Liberty Memorial

15 posted on 12/21/2007 6:09:28 AM PST by Non-Sequitur (Save Fredericksburg. Support CVBT.)
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To: lunarbicep

My stomach seriously dropped when I read this headline.

Something about these guys no longer being around just makes me very depressed.


16 posted on 12/21/2007 6:12:32 AM PST by VanDeKoik
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To: Badeye
When you consider everything he did witness during his life, across the entire spectrum, its pretty staggering.

No kidding. Born in 1898. He's lived during 3 different centuries. Thats pretty amazing all by itself.

17 posted on 12/21/2007 8:28:28 AM PST by Royal Guardsman ("I drank what?" ---- Socrates)
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To: furquhart

Well at least he served more honorably than Kerry.


18 posted on 12/21/2007 8:34:08 AM PST by JZelle
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To: Non-Sequitur
The Indiana War Memorial in Indianapolis is the largest WWI Memorial in the United States. It was begun in 1921 with most of the WWI Commanders from France, England, Belgium and the US present. It was opened in 1927. It is VERY impressive outside and inside. Worth the Trip. Do a web search for "Indiana War Memorial" for a link to the website.
19 posted on 12/21/2007 8:34:28 AM PST by milbuf
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To: Royal Guardsman

‘No kidding. Born in 1898. He’s lived during 3 different centuries. Thats pretty amazing all by itself.’

Exactly.

On the day he was born, William MCKINLEY was the President, if I’m not mistaken.


20 posted on 12/21/2007 8:34:35 AM PST by Badeye (No thanks, Huck, I'm not whitewashing the fence for you this election cycle)
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