A native of Modesto, CA, Captain Gerald Coffee joined the Navy in 1957 after
his graduation from UCLA. He received his Navy wings in 1959, and served his
country as a naval officer for 28 years. For over seven of those years (1966 to
1973) one fourth of his career, he served as a prisoner of war in the communist
prisons of North Vietnam. After his return, he earned a Masters Degree in
political science from the University of California at Berkeley, attended the
prestigious National Defense University in Washington, D.C., and commanded his
own aircraft squadron.
Since his retirement from the U.S. Navy in 1985, Captain Coffee has inspired
thousands of people from the speaking platform, addressing over sixty audiences
each year with his timeless messages, "Beyond Survival" and "A Time For
Heroes." Through a national survey, corporate and association meeting planners
selected Captain Coffee as one of America's top ten speakers.
His military decorations include the Silver Star, two awards of the Legion
of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, two Bronze Stars, the Air Medal, two
Purple Hearts, and the Vietnam Service Medal with 13 stars. He is the recipient
of the George Washington Honor Medal presented by the Freedoms Foundation at
Valley Forge, and the National Speakers Association's highest award for
excellence in speaking. He is a highly respected observer and commentator on
current political, economic, and social issues who sees most problems in terms
of opportunities yet to be seized by heroic leadership yet to emerge. His first
book, Beyond Survival, was featured in condensed version in Reader's Digest,
Guideposts magazine, and in audio cassette by Nightingale-Conant.
As a returned Prisoner of War, Captain Coffee's message focuses not upon the
horrors of his seven year incarceration, but upon the positive lessons learned
by himself and other Americans held captive. His faith - in himself, his fellow
man, his country, and his God - was the key to his survival, and can be for
all; each day, today and tomorrow. In using his incredible experiences as a
vehicle, Captain Coffee leads his audience through laughter and through tears,
and ultimately to the affirmation that we are all so much stronger and more
capable than we give ourselves credit for, and we each have the potential to
survive any ordeal, overcome any obstacle, achieve any goal. His style is
genuine, warm, and witty; his message unforgettable.
