Tweet
John W. Coffman
Longtime AMCA member, John Coffman, passed away on February 14, 2005, after a long bout with cancer.
John enlisted in the Marine Corps/Naval aviation program in 1943. At the end of World War II he was released from active duty and then recalled during the Korean War. He flew 103 combat missions over a period of one year in F4U Corsairs. He was also very involved in carrier operations and became one of the most respected and experienced landing signal officers in the Marine Corps. At the time of his retirement from the Marines in 1972 he held the carrier landing record for a Marine aviator, 735 traps, a record which stands to this day.
After retirement from the Marines, John worked at Portsmouth Harley-Davidson and eventually became their service manager. This rekindled a love affair with old Harleys that went back to his high school days when he rode to school on a 1927 Harley JD.
His attention to detail and his extensive knowledge of restorations and engine rebuilding became legendary. “The Colonel” as he later became known was responsible for putting many old Flatheads, Knuckles and Pans back on the road. Rest assured they will be running strong for years to come.
John will be greatly missed by all his friends in the antique motorcycle world.
Dale Cashman
Longtime AMCA member, John Coffman, passed away on February 14, 2005, after a long bout with cancer.
John enlisted in the Marine Corps/Naval aviation program in 1943. At the end of World War II he was released from active duty and then recalled during the Korean War. He flew 103 combat missions over a period of one year in F4U Corsairs. He was also very involved in carrier operations and became one of the most respected and experienced landing signal officers in the Marine Corps. At the time of his retirement from the Marines in 1972 he held the carrier landing record for a Marine aviator, 735 traps, a record which stands to this day.
After retirement from the Marines, John worked at Portsmouth Harley-Davidson and eventually became their service manager. This rekindled a love affair with old Harleys that went back to his high school days when he rode to school on a 1927 Harley JD.
His attention to detail and his extensive knowledge of restorations and engine rebuilding became legendary. “The Colonel” as he later became known was responsible for putting many old Flatheads, Knuckles and Pans back on the road. Rest assured they will be running strong for years to come.
John will be greatly missed by all his friends in the antique motorcycle world.
Dale Cashman