SSgt. Ray Coffey
2010 Recipient – Staff Sergeant Ray Coffey
The 2010 recipient is Staff Sergeant (SSgt) Ray Coffey. SSgt Coffey suffered multiple wounds in combat. He is 34 years old, living in Houston and currently rehabilitating his wounds with the support of his wife Melanie and their children Briana (age 13), Cody (age 10) and Justin (age 9).
Thanks to our donor contributions, we were able to give $15,000 to SSgt Coffey. Our donor contributions relieved a significant amount of financial strain off their family. Specifically, this money allowed us to help them catch up on late payments for their essential living expenses, and we were able to pay the mortgage on their house for seven months.
The timing worked well again this year because they were not going to have enough money to buy their children Christmas presents. Thanks to our donor contributions, the Coffeys had enough of their own money to buy their children a few Christmas presents and enjoy the holidays. SSgt Coffey and Melanie are extremely grateful and send their thanks.
SSgt Coffey joined the Marine Corps in 1998. During the terrorists attacks on September 11, 2001 SSgt Coffey was serving as a Corporal (Cpl) with Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines. Prior to the invasion Cpl Coffey and his unit were staged in Pakistan preparing for the fight. While in Pakistan, Cpl Coffey’s four year contract was coming to an end and he had to make a decision. Cpl Coffey had to decide whether he would serve another four years in the Marine Corps or get out and live a safe comfortable life as a civilian. Cpl Coffey chose the road less traveled and signed another four year contract with the Marine Corps. While many people were debating this war, Cpl Coffey stepped forward and fought. He was well aware he was crossing the line into a world of violence and pain.
Cpl Coffey was among the first Marine units to invade Afghanistan. During his time in Afghanistan Cpl Coffey served as a squad leader and a forward observer. A squad consists of 13 Marines: one squad leader and three fire teams, each consisting of four Marines. A forward observer stares at the enemy through binoculars and calls in mortars, artillery and close air support right on top of their heads. While serving as a forward observer in Afghanistan, he led a team of Marines 3,000 meters outside of friendly lines. They set up a “hide” deep in Taliban controlled territory in order to observe enemy movements. Cpl Coffey controlled all fire missions for over thirty days. These fire missions consisted of calling in mortars and close air support from attack helicopters and jets right on top of Taliban positions.
Cpl Coffey returned to the United States and was promoted to Sergeant (Sgt). In 2003 Sgt Coffey deployed to invade Iraq. Sgt Coffey again served as a squad leader and forward observer. During the push to Baghdad, the enemy attacks destroyed the communication equipment in his convoy. They convey had to stop and they became isolated from the rest of the unit. The convoy was ambushed by a large amount of insurgents. One of his fellow Marines was killed, multiple Marines were wounded and multiple vehicles were destroyed. During the attack Sgt Coffey suffered wounds from enemy fire to his back and legs. Without regard to his own personal safety, and despite the excruciatingly painful wounds, Sgt Coffey exposed himself to the enemy fire in order to give first aid to multiple wounded Marines. Sgt Coffey then lead a group of Marines to set up a perimeter to provide 360 degree security just before it got dark. The Marines were stranded in the middle of the desert, isolated from their unit and without any communication with the rest of their unit. The Marines were repeatedly probed by enemy attacks throughout the night. Sgt Coffey noticed helicopters in the distance (on their way to provide air support nearby) and he quickly sprang into action to try and evacuate the wounded Marines. He grabbed about a dozen chem lights and made a landing zone (chem lights are basically big glow sticks). He then made a “buzz saw” to flag down the helicopters. A buzz saw is a chem light tied to the end of a long cord, which is swung in a circular motion above the head so that the pilots can identify where the landing zone is. The helicopters picked up the signal, landed and evacuated the wounded Marines. Sgt Coffey was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for his heroism and ingenuity in the face of the enemy attacks.
Sgt Coffey returned to the United States and began training for another combat deployment. In February 2004 Sgt Coffey deployed again to Iraq. During this deployment Sgt Coffey served as platoon guide and convoy security commander. The platoon guide is a senior enlisted Marine responsible for the weapons, administration and logistics for a platoon. A platoon usually consists of around 45-55 Marines. A convoy security commander conducts security patrols along supply routes and main roads in order to prevent enemy attacks along these roadways. During this deployment Sgt Coffey and his squad were involved in more than 25 firefights with the enemy.
During one particular patrol Sgt Coffey and his Marines were ambushed by a large insurgent force. Sgt Coffey quickly lead his Marines out of the “kill zone” of the ambush and conducted a hasty counter attack. The Marines became engaged in an intense firefight with a well-trained, covered and concealed group of insurgents. Sgt Coffey boldly led the counter attack. As they started to gain the upper hand on the enemy, Sgt Coffey was wounded by the blast and shrapnel from an Improvised Explosive Device (IED). Two of his Marines were then also wounded. Despite his wounds Sgt Coffey continued to lead the attack and selflessly exposed himself to enemy gunfire, drawing the majority of it towards himself, which allowed his wounded Marines to be evacuated. Sgt Coffey was again wounded from enemy grenades and a gunshot wound that shattered his right ankle. As a result of the multiple blasts, Sgt Coffey lost consciousness and suffered blast and shrapnel wounds to his head, neck, back, knees, ankles and teeth. Sgt Coffey regained consciousness and continued to fight. While bleeding from his eyes, ears, nose and his body covered with shrapnel, Sgt Coffey closed with the remaining enemy and personally killed him at close range with his M-16 service rifle. Sgt Coffey was then medically evacuated and awarded the Bronze Star with the combat “v” for his heroism and tenacious leadership. The combat “v” designates that the award recipient, in this case Sgt Coffey, demonstrated significant valor in combat.
Sgt Coffey returned to the United States and was promoted to Staff Sergeant (SSgt). SSgt Coffey tried to stay in the Marine Corps but due to his wounds he is currently being medically retired after 13 years of service. SSgt Coffey is 100% disabled as a result of the wounds he received in combat. His wounds include but are not limited to severe post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), cognitive disorders, memory loss, hearing loss, vision loss, damage to his back, ankles, knees, feet and teeth. He continues to have multiple surgeries including sinus, jaw and teeth restoration which include bone grafts to his lower and upper jaws. SSgt Coffey is in rehabilitation to re-learn essential life skills through cognitive therapy, speech therapy and occupational therapy. He wears a brace on his right ankle and his left knee. He is in constant pain on a daily basis. On some days his back pain is so intense he needs a walking cain. He wears a patch over his right eye until he can have surgery to correct his vision. He can no longer drive, cook or supervise his children alone.
Melanie Coffey has been essential to his recovery. Once they left military life and moved back to Houston, Melanie had to quit her job in order to provide 24 hour medical assistance to her husband while at the same time raising their three children. Melanie recently started to work again and SSgt Coffey wants to pursue a bachelor’s degree in engineering once his rehabilitation he completes rehabilitation.
Each year, CWMF has the privilege of choosing Marines in unique situations. SSgt Coffey’s situation is unique because since 2004 he tried to remain on active duty while rehabilitating. His commitment is admirable and the Marine Corps considered allowing SSgt Coffey to remain on active duty but the process only delayed his medical retirement. Accordingly, it also caused a gap in his veterans’ benefits that has led to their mounting debt and financial strain.
