John P. Coursey

John Paul Coursey (December 20, 1914 – February 27, 1992) was a decorated officer and naval aviator in the United States Marine Corps with the rank of Brigadier General. A survivor of the sinking of battleship Arizona during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, he completed flight training and assumed command of Marine Transport Squadron 152 (VMR-152), operating in the Northern Solomons.

Coursey later served as Executive officer of Marine Aircraft Group 33 in Korea and received several decorations including the Distinguished Flying Cross for his leadership of a flight of Marine jet Grumman F9F Panther fighters in an aerial assault against heavily defended and highly inaccessible enemy positions in close proximity to the Panmunjon restricted area.

World War II

Coursey (standing second from right, back row) looks on, while Japanese general Masatane Kanda signs the surrender document on Bougainville, September 8, 1945. In May 1941, Coursey rejoined the battleship Arizona, operating with Pacific Fleet and participated in the patrol cruises during the rising tension in Pacific. The battleship Arizona was located on Pearl Harbor during the Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, and Coursey served as an executive officer of the Marine Detachment aboard under Major Alan Shapley.

Coursey was promoted to temporary rank of Major in August that year and served with Marine Detachment on Midway Atoll, before he was sent back to the United States in November. Coursey requested for flight training and was then ordered to the Naval Air Station Dallas, Texas, and then to the Naval Air Training Center at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida.

Coursey and his squadron provided air transport of personnel, equipment, and supplies, including aeromedical evacuation during the combats in Northern Solomons campaign, mostly on Bougainville Island. He remained in command of the squadron until the end of war and served as U.S. representative during the surrender of Japanese lieutenant general, Masatane Kanda, Commander of the 17th Army operating on Bougainville on September 8, 1945. For his service with VMR-152, Coursey was decorated with Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V" and also received Air Medal for participating in aerial combat flight.

Coursey remained with 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, but following the personnel changes initiated by General William Westmoreland, commander of Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, Coursey, major generals Fontana and William R. Collins were ordered back to the United States in April 1965. Following his return stateside, he was ordered to the Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, California, and assumed duty as Assistant Wing Commander, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing under Major general Frederick E. Leek.

Retirement

Coursey served in this capacity until November 1, 1966, when he retired from the Marines, after 29 years of active service. He settled in Vidalia, Georgia, and died there on February 27, 1992, aged 77. Coursey was buried at Pinecrest Cemetery & Mausoleum in Vidalia beside his wife, Mary C. Chapman. They had together one son, John Paul Jr., who also served with the Marines in Vietnam and retired as captain, and one daughter, Martha Coursey Shepherd.

Decorations Brigadier general Coursey's personal decorations include: