Mobilized at
Camp Logan, along with brother Mason, near Houston, Texas
33rd Division (The Prairie Division), as well as brother Mason
Both took part in several of the Marne
engagements
Fred's artillery supported Mason's infantry, which was quite
unusual
He
enlisted in military service a few days prior to the declaration
of World War I, April 6, 1917. Having been promoted through
successive enlisted grades from Private to Sergeant First Class
(Top Sergeant), he was selected to attend the 3rd Officers Training
Camp at Leon Springs, Texas and was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant
on May 8, 1918 in the Federalized Illinois National Guard (123rd
Field Artillery).
Following participation in the St
Mihiel Sector and Meuse-Argonne Offensive, A. E. F. in France,
he transferred to the Regular Army, 5th Field Artillery, 1st
Division and remained in the Army of Occupation at Coblenz,
Germany, returning to the USA in September 1919.
He was selected and passed examinations for commission in the
Regular Army as a 1st Lieutenant.
Transferring
to the Finance Department in 1932, he was detailed to the Air
Force, serving at various posts, including Wright
Field, Dayton, Ohio where he spent 7 yrs in Finance and
Budget & Fiscal as chief of those departments. He was responsible
for the prompt payment of all contracts on aircraft and supplies
used in World War II. He was head of the group which initiated
the present Cost Accounting and Controller systems now used
in the Air Force as a member of the staff of the late General
William Knudson, former head of General Motors. Ordered
overseas in 1945, he was Staff Fiscal Officer for the Strategic
Air Force and Pacific Air Command, supervising such operations
in the Philippines, Okinawa, Guam, Hawaii and other island installations
in the Pacific Theater. Prior to retiring in October 1947,
he was assigned as Director of the Accounting Division, War
Assets Administration, Washington, D.C. Colonel Coyne
was the holder of 6 service medals and received the Silver
Star Decoration under a combat citation in World War I.
In addition, for outstanding services in World War II he was
awarded the Bronze
Star, Legion
of Merit and Commendation
Medal, with metal pendant.
