DeWitt Coffman

DeWitt Coffman
Coffman, c. 1916–1918
Born
DeWitt Clinton Coffman

(1854-11-28)November 28, 1854
Mount Jackson, Virginia
DiedJune 27, 1932(1932-06-27) (aged 77)
Jamestown, Rhode Island
Military career
AllegianceUnited States of America
Branch
 United States Navy
Service years
1876–1918
Rank
Vice Admiral
Conflicts
Spanish–American War
World War I
AwardsDistinguished Service Medal

DeWitt Clinton Coffman (November 28, 1854 – June 27, 1932) was a United States Navy admiral. He served in the Spanish–American War and World War I.

Life and career

Coffman was born at Mount Jackson, Virginia on November 28, 1854. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy on June 20, 1876. Coffman later attended the Naval War College in 1901.

Coffman served in monitor Terror during the Spanish–American War, and received the Distinguished Service Medal as Commander, Battleship Force 2, Atlantic Fleet, during World War I.

He retired as Rear Admiral on November 28, 1918, and was advanced to Vice Admiral on the retired list on June 21, 1930. He died at Jamestown, Rhode Island, on June 27, 1932.

Namesakes

U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander A. S. Snow named Coffman Cove in Alaska after Coffman in 1886.

The U.S. Navy destroyer escort USS Coffman (DE-191), launched in 1943, was named in Coffman's honor.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Register of Alumni: Graduates and Former Naval Cadets and Midshipmen. The United States Naval Academy Alumni Association, Inc. 1 July 1956. p. 144. Retrieved 21 March 2025.
  2. ↑ Register of Officers 1884–1977. The United States Naval War College. 1977. p. 8. Retrieved 21 March 2025.
  3. ↑ "Alaska Division of Community and Regional Affairs". commerce.state.ak.us. Retrieved 8 August 2010.