Cecil Anson Coppock
27th Regiment 5th Marine Division
Cecil Coppock Body Due From Iwo Jima
The Knoxville Journal, March 21, 1948:
Bodies of five Knox Countians who were killed in the Pacific war theater are being returned to the United States aboard the Army transport Walter W. Schwenk for final rites and interment the Army disclosed last night. Those being returned and their next of kin are:
Pvt. Phillip L. Beeler, USMC – Linnie M. Beeler, Route 1, Nueberts;
Pfc. Cecil A. Coppock – Nina V. Coppock, Route 5, Knoxville;
Pvt. Edward W. Herron, USMC – Iva M. Herron, Route 12;
Pvt. James L Moyers, USMC – Wanda M. Moyers, Spring Hill Road,;
Sgt. Harry W. Ruth, USMC – Mrs. Harry W. Ruth, 909 Fine Avenue.
Due at San Francisco today, the USS Schwenk bears 3257 deceased servicemen including 71 from Tennessee, the Army stated. “The group aboard the Schwenk is the largest to be returned from the Pacific to date,” The Army announced. “Two other vessels have returned war dead from the Pacific area and three from the European battle zone since the Army’s program to return World War II dead upon request of their nearest relatives began last October.” It is expected that from 10 days to three weeks would elapse between the arrival of the Schwenk and final interment.
Formerly a Central High School student, Private Coppock entered service in January 1944, and went overseas with the Fifth Marine Division after basic training at San Diego, Calif. He was killed in fighting on Iwo Jima on March 9, 1945. Holder of the Purple Heart, he is survived by his mother, four brothers, and four sisters. He was a member of Brandville Baptist Church.
The Knoxville Journal, Friday, April 9, 1948
The body of Pfc. Cecil A. Coppock, 19, of Millertown Road, 5, who was killed in the fierce Japanese assault at Iwo Jima. March 9, 1945, will arrive in Knoxville at 155 p.m. today over the L & N Railroad. It will be taken to Rose Mortuary pending funeral arrangements. Coppock formerly was an employee of the Southern Railway. He was a student at Central High School and well known in Knox County. Survivors include his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Conley Coppock; brothers, Conley C. Jr., of Florence, Ala. David L. and Robert Samuel Coppock, Knoxville; sisters, Mrs. Goldie Hawkins, Jefferson City, Mrs. Lelia Mannion of Panama Canal Zone, Miss Marie Coppock, Atlanta, Ga, Miss Virginia Coppock, Knoxville grandmother, Mrs. R.S. Gammon of Detroit.
Coppock, PFC. Cecil A., 19, of Millertown Road, Route No. 5, died on Iwo Jima March 9, 1945. Before entering the Marines he was an employee of Southern Railway, student at Central High School. He was serving in the 5th Marine Division. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at Rose Chapel. Rev. M.J. Smith officiating. American Legion Post No. 2 in charge of services at the grave. Interment in Lynnhurst Cemetery.
- Rank: Private First Class
- Date of birth: 3 October 1925
- Date of death: 9 March 1945
- County: Knox
- Hometown: Knoxville
- Service Branch: Marine Corps
- Division/Assignment: 27th Marines, 5th Marine Division
- Theater: Pacific
- Conflict: World War II
- Battles: Iwo Jima
- Awards: Purple Heart
- Burial/Memorial Location: Lynnhurst Cemetery, Knoxville, TN
- Location In Memorial: Pillar VIII, Top Panel
- Contact us to sponsor Cecil A. Coppock
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