John L. Coleman graduated from Siena College in 1962 where he majored in History, was a class officer and participated in ROTC. He was commissioned a second lieutenant and branched infantry. He served as an infantry officer and platoon leader and later S-1 in 1st Battalion, 2nd ID. In 1964 he branch transferred to the Transportation Corps. He commanded the 41st transportation Company of the 181st Trans Battalion, V Corp Germany in 1964-1966. In 1966-1967 he was assigned as an instructor at the US Army Transpiration School, Ft. Lee, VA. In 1967 CPT Coleman was assigned to Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam as Commander of the 24th Transportation Company, 10th Terminal Battalion, 124th Transportation Command, U.S. Army Support Command. He later served as 10th Battalion S-4 responsible for supply, maintenance and transportation support to 3,000 personnel serving in a forward combat area.
He received his first Bronze Star for meritorious service in a combat zone. CPT Coleman returned to the United States for further leadership training as well as a master’s degree. MAJ Coleman was returned to Vietnam as the Executive Officer for the 5th Aircraft Maintenance and Supply Battalion, 101st Airborne Division, Da Nang, Vietnam. During his time as XO he received his second Bronze Star for meritorious service in a combat zone. MAJ Coleman was recognized for his abilities as a young MAJ and promoted to Division Transportation Officer for the 101st Airborne Division. As Div TO, MAJ Coleman was responsible for total transportation support of 15,000 personnel employing motor, rail and air assets in the 101st Airborne’s theatre of operations. It was during his two years in this capacity he was awarded his third Bronze Star for meritorious service in a combat zone.
MAJ Coleman was reassigned to the US Army Transportation School as Chief, Academic Records and Student Affairs where he supervised the administration of over 5,000 student officers, warrant officers and enlisted personnel. After being promoted to LTC John was made Chief, Motor Rail Division, XVIII Airborne Corps responsible for highway/rail movements and terminal operations in support of 15,000 military personnel. During this time LTC Coleman directly supervised the permanent relocation and movement by land, sea and air transport of 12,000 personal and all divisional equipment from German to the US. LTC Coleman was assigned to the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel US Army, Pentagon. In this capacity LTC Coleman was responsible for developing and implementing Army travel and transportation policy. He also formulated legislation with other Services and the Department of Defense for action by the US Congress.
His awards and decoration include: Bronze Star Medal (2OLC); Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross w Palm; Legion of Merit; Meritorious Service Medal (10OLC); Air Medal; Army Commendation Medal (2OLC); Army Achievement Medal; Meritorious Unit Commendation (1OLC); National Defense Service Medal; Vietnam Service Medal; Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon; Republic of Vietnam Service Medal; Overseas Service Bar (4).
Following LTC Coleman’s military career he went to work for Seaboard System Railroad (CSX) in Baltimore, MD and Jacksonville, FL. John served in the Sales & Marketing Department, Human Resources Department and retired in 2000 as Assistant Vice President of Corporate Services. John passed away in 2004.