George Thomas Coker was born in Amarillo, Texas and was 8-years old when his family moved to Linden, N.J. When he was a senior at St. Benedict's Prep School in Newark, Coker was co-captain of the team and won the 142-pound state prep school championship. He went on to Rutgers (1961-63) where he also wrestled. While at Rutgers he participated in an aviation officer cadet program and was commissioned an Ensign in the United States Navy in 1963. After a year in the Naval Reserves Coker entered the service and was on active duty from November 13, 1963 until his retirement on September 30, 1986. In 1966 the A-6 Intruder on which Coker was serving as bombardier-navigator was shot down over North Vietnam. He was held as a prisoner of war in Hoa Lo Prison (the "Hanoi Hilton") and spent time in other POW camps, including Cu Loc, Dirty Bird, Alcatraz Grove, the Zoo, and Little Vegas for 6.5 years (1966-73). On March 4, 1973, Coker was released as part of Operation Homecoming. Vietnam-era POWs were released in order of capture and Coker was in the second large release group. Of his 2,382 days in captivity, almost three years were spent in solitary confinement and 2.5 years in the Hanoi Hilton. Coker was promoted to full Lieutenant during his captivity. During his captivity, Coker was notable for the ferocity with which he resisted his incarceration. He was considered one of "the baddest of the baddest" of the POWs. He was awarded with six decorations at North Island Naval Station in San Diego, CA.: Navy Cross - the highest medal that can be given by the United States Department of the Navy and the second highest award given for valor (next higher award is the Medal of Honor); SIlver Star; two bronze stars; Legion of Merit; and Navy Commendation (in total he received 27 medals/citations in his career). In 1974 Mayor John Gregorio presented him with a key to the city of Linden. He also was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for his "aggressive leadership" as Director of the Atlantic Fleet Commander Center upon retiring from the Navy. Since he retired as a computer analyst for the government, in addition to continued Scouting activities, Coker has been involved in supporting ex-POWs for many years. Coker, who returned to college to complete his degree at the University of San Diego in 1976, and his wife Pamela Ann have two daughters, Theresa and Elizabeth, and a son, Thomas.