In February 1966, while flying combat missions over North Vietnam, Captain Gerald Coffee’s RA5-C reconnaissance jet was downed by enemy fire. He parachuted safely from his plane but was captured immediately and spent the next seven years as a Prisoner of War in the Communist prisons of that country. After his repatriation in February 1973, Captain Coffee returned to operation duties and later retired from active duty in the Navy after 28 years of service.
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. Since his retirement from the U.S. Navy, Captain Coffee has garnered a reputation as one of the nation’s top speakers, enrapturing audiences with his stories of strength, perseverance and faith that allowed him to not only survive but thrive. Drawing from his unique life experiences and sharing his compelling insights and message, Captain Coffee leaves audiences energized, inspired and empowered to make positive change in their own lives.
SPEAKER TOPICS
ABOUT Captain Gerald Coffee, U.S. Navy (Ret.) (+/-)
Experience to Empower Change
Captain Gerald Coffee’s incredible talent as a speaker evolved naturally as people began inquiring about his seven years as a Prisoner of War in the Communist prisons of North Vietnam. As he related his story, he quickly realized that sharing the insights he had gained as a POW was far more valuable than recounting the experience itself. The lessons Captain Coffee learned the hard way -which ultimately enabled him to survive- are timeless; they are the same ones which enable all of us to meet the physical, emotional, and ethical challenges of our personal and professional lives.
Multiple Award-Winning Speaker, Author and Model Citizen
In addition to his many military honors, Captain Coffee has also earned several civilian awards including the George Washington Honor Medal from the Freedom Foundation at Valley Forge. He holds the National Speaker’s Association’s highest rating of CSP and is a member of the Speaker’s Hall of Fame (CPAE). In a poll of corporate meeting planners, Captain Coffee was selected as one of America’s Top Ten Speakers and the prestigious Million Dollar Round Table selected him as one of its top twelve most popular, highest-rated, main platform speakers for the past 20 years.
SPEAKER TOPIC DESCRIPTIONS (+/-)
In his talk Beyond Survival, Captain Gerald Coffee gives a moving account of his incredible experience from capture to ultimate release. His faith - in himself, others, his country, and his spiritual tenets- was the key to turning an unbelievably difficult and potentially devastating experience into an opportunity for personal growth.
Captain Coffee is an inspiring example of the power of the human spirit to survive and triumph over the most adverse circumstances. His story conveys a positive message that we each have the potential to survive any ordeal, overcome any obstacle, and achieve any goal.
