Coffman honored by French for WWII acts
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White County Veterans Affairs     World War II Combat Reports

    12 Jan 2002

Editor's note: The following article appeared in The Lorrain Republican (France) on October 8, 2002. It is being reprinted here because of the prominent mention of The Rev. Lawnie B. Coffman of Searcy.

In the afternoon of October 8, 1944, a unit of the 137th Regiment, Company 1 belonging to the American 35th Division and part of General George Patton's 3rd Army were advancing toward the village of Fossieux from Ajoncourt. On entering the town, they came under German machine-gun fire from an emplacement high above the road from Aulnois. The commanding officer's facial expression at this sight led Sergeant Coffman to intervene. While the rest of the company created a diversion, Sgt. Coffman and a fellow soldier armed with a rocket launcher, detoured behind the machine gun site. In spite of heavy fire from the Germans, they succeeded in destroying the machine gun nest allowing their company to advance to the east of the village.

While the Americans waited for nightfall for reinforcements and supplies from east of the village, Sgt. Coffman made several trips, relaying hand-carried supplies in advance of the next day's battle. The population of refugees had returned to the village. The battle raged, progressing the length of (or along) the Seille River. In retaking Fossieux, the Americans captured numerous prisoners.

The village was under siege from October 8-11, 1944. Faced with 140 Grenadiers supported by seven enemy tanks, the 35th Division, 1st Battalion of the 134th Regiment and 3rd Battalion of the 137th Regiment fought valiantly, sustained by the actions of the 654 H Tank Destroyer Battalion. It was here that Sergeant Easley was killed the 10th of October 1944.

On the 58th anniversary of the battle, Paul Colombies, mayor of Fossieux invited this remembrance: "We must think of those who by their courage and tenacity made history. When future generation ask about the historic consequences of our time, they must never forget those who were heroes. To those, we are forever grateful for our liberty."

The Mayor sent Coffman the above article with his best wishes and the comment, "Its purpose was to honor all those who fought in the heroic days of World War II."

The Rev. Coffman resides in Searcy.