Robert Coats
Navy Hellcat Ace
By Sir Ernie Hamilton Boyette
Robert
Coats
Robert Coats received confirmation that he
had been accepted to the Naval Aviation Cadet Program as he was about to
graduate from Louisiana Polytechnic Institute. In June 1939 he received orders
for active duty and flight training in Pensacola and Miami, Florida. Starting
1941 with his being designated Naval Aviator and commissioned an Ensign and
began his aviation career as a flight instructor. Coats instructed in the Boeing
F-4B and the Grumman F-2F biplane.
In March 1943 Coats reported to VF-18 and
joined a fleet unit. They trained in the F4F Wildcat and transitioned to the F6F
Hellcat. The squadron sailed to the Pacific on the USS Bunker Hill. The carrier
and their air group joined the war in the Solomon's and against the Japanese
stronghold at Rabaul, New Britain.
On November 11, 1943 Coats with his
squadron attacked the Japanese bases. The Japanese launched a counter strike.
The Japanese aircraft caught the Bunker Hill in the middle of launching
aircraft. Japanese “Kate’s” were approaching the Bunker Hill for a torpedo
strike. Coats and his wingman were flying cover for the carrier and were in
between the attacking three flights of torpedo bombers and the carrier. Coats
swung into the oncoming “Kate’s” and during the pursuit of the flight
Coats shot down four and his wingman downed two. Their efforts broke off the
attack and the carrier was safe.
On January 1, 1944 Coats was flying CAP
and was vectored to an enemy snooper. The invading aircraft was a “Tony”
fighter at 16 to 17,000 feet. Cots started his attack on the “Tony” from
behind and below. Coats waited until he was within 50 feet of “Tony”. Coats
fired point blank into the rear of the fighter. Instantly the “Tony” pulled
straight up and in one continuous loop came down behind Coats. At that moment
both fighters entered a cloud. Coats cut hard to avoid fire from the “Tony”.
Both fighters chased each other in and out of the clouds. At 12,00 feet, Coats
spotted the “Tony” and followed the fighter down through clouds and rain.
Coats only fired when he could try to same ammunition. Both fighters leveled off
over the ocean at 300 feet. The “Tony” was fatally stricken and plunged to
the ocean. Coats had followed the fighter all the way from 16,000 feet to the
water.
After VF-18 flew in the Gilbert Islands,
the Marshalls, Saipan, Guam, and Turk they were rotated back to the States.
Coats joined VF-17 and returned to combat in January 1945. His squadron sailed
aboard the USS Hornet and was flying the Grumman F6F-5 Hellcat. Coats
participated in the battles over Okinawa, Tokyo, Iwo Jima, the island of Kyushu,
and the sinking of the Japanese Battleship, the Yamato.
On March 1, 1945 while over Okinawa, his
Hellcat was hit by antiaircraft fire and had to land in the water to be picked
up by a destroyer. March 18th had Coats and five other fighters
approached Kyushu and were confronted by twenty to thirty Zero’s. The Hellcats
broke up into three two-plane formations.
Nine of the Zero’s were shot down and
they rest flew off. Coats and the others continued towards the Island when they
came across six different Zero’s. All enemy aircraft were shot down. After
regrouping the Hellcats saw two Zero’s attacking a F4U Corsair. Coats and his
wingman descended on the Zero’s and shot down one each. Coats was able to
claim five victories on this flight of three different combat fights.
March 19th brought a strike on
the Japanese airfield on Kanoya. The Japanese were alerted to the attack and
cleared the field. This was to be an all-out bombing attack on the airfield with
Coats and his fellow squadron mates carrying one 500lb. bomb each. While
approaching the airfield Coats held back and let the Marine Corsairs go in
first. Coats could see the AA-fire coming in thick into the descending Marines.
As Coats was planning his squadron’s attack in dropping their bombs on the airfield, he identified Japanese aircraft and chased after them. The enemy was using the cloud cover and both groups of aircraft were chasing in and out of the clouds. A “George” fighter appeared and Coats turned to follow. The Japanese zigged-zaged with Coats rocking back and forth trying to get a steady shot at the “George”. The “George” pulled straight up to loose the heaver American fighter. But Coats was able to hit the “George” twice. While flying straight up the Japanese’s landing gear came out from the damage of Coats 50’s. Smoke blossomed from the cowling of the “George” as his speed bled to a stall. Coats was looking at the disabled fighter peak his climb and then nosed over towards the ground. The “George” shot past Coats Hellcat as he flipped his fighter down to follow. Coats was able to hit the “George” again setting it on fire. The Japanese flew into the over cast and was gone.
The squadron claimed two kills with one
going to Coats. Coats and the others came out of the clouds and started their
bombing run. As they came near the airfield they noticed six Zero’s in a
landing pattern coming in low over the trees towards the field. Coats and the
others came in behind the landing Zero’s and shot down two. As the American
finished their attack they released their bombs on the runway and pulled up.
On another flight while over
Ammimi-O-Shima on March 31st, Coats was hit by antiaircraft fire and
was forced to land in the water. His number four-man dropped a life raft for him
to rest in. Coats was rescued quickly and was back on the Hornet within days
ready for combat.
Robert Coats retired from the Navy in
1971. Coats was credited with 10 confirmed victories and received the Navy
Cross, Distinguished Flying Cross with two Stars, The Presidential Unit
Citation, and the Legion of Merit.
All research, writings and artwork are by Sir Ernie Hamilton Boyette.
No one is permitted to republish any part of this story with out my personal permission.
Please call or e-mail me for any use of this story.
I do not mind sharing, just call or e-mail and ask for permission.
Sir. Ernie Hamilton Boyette
904-282-4198
e-mail: aviationartstore@peoplepc.com
2-9-07