During this time the troop formed an Explorer Post and Sea Scout unit. Troop 32 had about a dozen members at that time but had over 60 members when Coker made Eagle Scout in 1959. He completed the Cubbing program and joined Troop 32. īoth of Coker's older brothers were involved in Scouting and Coker first became involved when he joined Cub Scouts in late 1951. He has stated that his passion for Scouting is one of the things that got him through his 6.5 years as a POW in North Vietnam, to the point that at times all he could remember was the Scout Oath, but not the names of his family members. Scouting life George Thomas Coker after receiving his Distinguished Eagle Scout Award award August 9, 2005.Ĭoker grew up in Linden, New Jersey, and became an Eagle Scout in Troop 32 of Saint Elizabeth's Catholic Church in Linden on January 27, 1959. Coker is married and has three children two daughters and a son, Theresa, Elizabeth, and Thomas Jr. He studied education and mathematics at Old Dominion University from 1982 to 1986. After his release from Vietnam, he returned to college and graduated from the University of San Diego in 1976 with a BS in political science. While at Rutgers, he participated in an aviation officer cadet program and was commissioned an ensign in the United States Navy. Coker attended Rutgers University from 1961 to 1963, where he also wrestled. In 1951, his family moved to Linden, New Jersey, where he became a New Jersey high school state wrestling champion in the 142 lb weight class and played high school varsity football at Saint Benedict's Preparatory School in Newark, New Jersey. George Coker was born in Amarillo, Texas, on July 14, 1943. After his release, he continued to serve in the Navy until his retirement in 1986. He was held as a prisoner of war in the " Hanoi Hilton" and other camps for six and a half years. In 1966, the A-6 Intruder jet on which Coker was serving as co-pilot, bombardier, and navigator, was shot down over North Vietnam. An Eagle Scout, he is noted for his devotion to Scouting. George Thomas Coker (born July 14, 1943) is a retired United States Navy commander who was awarded the Navy Cross for extraordinary heroism as a prisoner of war (POW) during the Vietnam War.
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