SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 530
In Memory
of
Lucy Coffey
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas remembers and
pays tribute to Lucy Coffey, one of the oldest female World War II
veterans, who passed away in San Antonio on March 19, 2015, at the
age of 108; and
WHEREAS, Originally from Mahalasville, Indiana, Lucy
Coffey moved to Dallas and was working for an A&P grocery store
when Japan bombed Pearl Harbor in 1941; she quit her job and
joined the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps at the age of 37, one of
only 150,000 women to join the corps who were not nurses; Lucy's
intense desire to serve is evident in the multiple attempts she
made to enlist; due to her small stature, she had to apply a
number of times to the corps, but her tenacity paid off when she
was finally accepted into the military in 1943; and
WHEREAS, Lucy served honorably in the Pacific, earning the
rank of staff sergeant, and was awarded the Philippine Liberation
Medal with a bronze star in the Battle of Luzon; in addition, she
earned an Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon with one bronze star, a
World War II Victory Medal, the Women's Army Corps Service Medal,
and a Good Conduct Medal; she served in Australia, New Guinea,
the Philippines, and eventually Japan, where she worked as an
account-statistician; and
WHEREAS, Lucy Coffey braved the horrors of combat when her
unit moved closer to the front lines, where the unit faced food
and water shortages and sometimes depended on Navy sailors to
share their rations; two of Staff Sergeant Coffey's brothers
served in the Pacific as well, testifying to the Coffey family's
commitment to the nation; in an era when many thought that women
did not have a place in the military, Staff Sergeant Coffey led by
example and volunteered to defend the nation during a time of
dire need; and
WHEREAS, After her discharge in 1945, Lucy Coffey spent 13
years working as an Army civilian in Okinawa, Japan, before
settling in San Antonio, where she would spend the rest of her
life; she worked in the procurement office at Kelly Air Force
Base until her retirement in 1971; Lucy Coffey maintained a
strong spirit of service to her country during her lifetime,
continuing to serve the greater good well beyond her military
enlistment; and
WHEREAS, Lucy Coffey was one of 400,000 women who served
their country during World War II; many things have changed
in the military since Staff Sergeant Coffey joined, but it
was women like her who blazed a trail for modern female
soldiers and helped expand female service from one small unit
to the force of more than two million American women it is
today; the San Antonio Veterans Service Office stated that
Lucy Coffey "was an incredible lady who will be missed dearly"
and that "her contributions to our country and community will not
be forgotten"; and
WHEREAS, Despite over 70 years of continuous service,
women in the military still face challenges on a daily basis, but
Lucy Coffey's legacy continues to inspire them; she opened
avenues for women to serve this country by answering the nation's
first call for service for women, and her memory lives on as a
testament to the resilience and determination of all veterans in
the face of danger; her valor and conviction impart confidence to
younger generations' future leaders, both military and civilian;
and
WHEREAS, Lucy Coffey was honored at the White House in 2014
by the president and vice president during her visit to the
memorials dedicated to veterans; she was a humble pioneer of
military equality and esprit de corps; she suffered a stroke in
2013 and used an oxygen system during her last years, yet she
remained energetic and enthusiastic, speaking to reporters and
audiences about her incomparable experiences; when asked about
her service just before her death, Staff Sergeant Coffey replied,
"I'd love to serve my country forever"; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 84th
Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the family and
friends of Lucy Coffey; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
her family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the Texas
Senate and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do so in
memory of Lucy Coffey.
Menéndez, Campbell
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on April 13, 2015, by a
rising vote.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate