From a contemporary press report:
John Gregory Coan, 51, a Commerce Department lawyer and economist who retired in February as emergency preparedness program manager, died of cardiopulmonary arrest June 28, 1998 at Washington Veterans Affairs Hospital. He lived in Alexandria, Virginia.
Mr. Coan, a native of New York, was a graduate of Fordham University and Catholic University law school. He served in the Army in Vietnam during the Vietnam War, and was awarded two Bronze Stars and two Purple Hearts.
He went to work for Commerce in 1974, and was later assigned to the office of the chief economist and the Bureau of Export Administration.
He was a member of the Special Forces Decade Association and Disabled American Veterans.
His marriage to Andrea Harold Coan ended in divorce.
Survivors include his mother, Mary L. Coan of Rochester, N.Y.; and two sisters.
COAN, JOHN GREGORY
On June 28, 1998; dearly beloved by survivors; mother, Mary L. Coan; close friend Sharon Gongwer; sisters Patricia A. Coan and Mary Louise Coan; nieces Maura, Lisa, Taryn and Natalie; nephews, Nicholas and Joey; loyal friends, Richard Meyers, Andrew Orlov and multiple others. Viewing July 9 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Arlington Funeral Home, 3901 Fairfax Dr., Arlington, VA. Interment July 10, 1998 at 11 a.m. at Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Vietnam Homeless Vets Outreach Program, 8796 E. Sacramento Dr., Alex., VA 22309.
Michael Robert Patterson was born in Arlington and is the son of a former officer of the US Army. So it was no wonder that sooner or later his interests drew him to American history and especially to American military history. Many of his articles can be found on renowned portals like the New York Times, Washingtonpost or Wikipedia.
Reviewed by: Michael Howard