During World War II, the 87th Infantry Division activated on December 15, 1942 at Camp McCain, Mississippi. The division included many eighteen-year-olds after the draft age was lowered to eighteen years old in November of 1942. They trained at the Tennessee Maneuver Area and then later Fort Jackson in South Carolina. They left for Europe in October in 1944 and arrived in England in November of 1944.

They joined the Third Army and landed in France on November 28, 1944. They fought in Rhineland in the Saar River border area in Germany in December of 1944. They traveled to Belgium in late December to January of 1945 and fought in the Ardennes Forest in the Battle of the Bulge. They fought in Luxembourg along the Sauer River in late January. In February they were in Neuendorf, and in March they were in Dollendorf and Koblenz. They crossed the Rhine River the end of March and were in Saxony in April. They were in Germany along the border with Czechoslovakia until V-E Day on May 8, 1945. They returned to the US in July of 1945 and inactivated on September 21, 1945 at Fort Benning, Georgia.

Lafayette County soldier Edward L. Coates served with Company B, of the 346th Infantry Regiment, 87th Division of the US Army.

Edward Louis Coates was born on November 17, 1923 in Elk Grove Township, Lafayette County, Wisconsin to Roy and Lois (McNett) Coates.

From the 1930 & 1940 US Census, the Coates family lived in Elk Grove Township in Lafayette County. The household included father Roy, mother Lois, and children Milton, Clinton, Edward, Bessie, and Thomas. In 1940, Father Roy was a farmer farming on his own account. Sons Clinton and Edward were both farm laborers.

On June 30, 1942 Edward Louis Coates registered for the WWII Draft. He was 18, registered in Grant County and was living in Cuba City. His employer was Leo Hoppenjan at RFD #1 in Cuba City. His next of kin was his father Roy Coates living in Cuba City.

Edward L. Coates was drafted into service on July 18, 1944.

From the July 19, 1944 Wisconsin State Journal article “Grant County Sends 24 More; Group Leaves Platteville,” the article stated “The following men left Platteville Tuesday for induction into the armed forces from Grant county selective service board No. 2.” The list included Edward L. Coates, Cuba City.

From the February 22, 1945 The Platteville Journal and Grant County News notice titled “Edward Coates Killed in Germany,” the notice stated “Mrs. Martin Schroeder received word on Sunday that her nephew, Pvt. Edward L. Coates, 21, had been killed in action in Germany on February 3, according to word received by his father Leroy Coates, Cuba City. Pvt. Coates entered the service on July 18, 1944, where he was assigned to the infantry after receiving his basic training at Camp Wheeler, Ga., he was immediately sent overseas. He was born in Elk Grove township on November 17, 1923. He leaves three brothers, Miller (sic: Milton), Clinton, and Thomas and one sister, Bessie, all of Cuba City.

His grandmother, Mrs. Bessie McNett resides in Platteville at the Frank Albertson home.”

From the March 10, 1949 The Capital Times article titled “Bodies of 2 War Buddies Among Those Returned,” the article told the stories of Pvt. Paul R. Sather and Pvt. Donald I. Butler. The article stated “The bodies of 24 other soldiers from Madison and surrounding territory to be returned, and their next of kin follow…” The list included Pvt. Edward L. Coates, army. His father Roy Coates of Cuba City was his next of kin.

From the March 27, 1949 Wisconsin State Journal notice for “Coates Memorial Rites,” the notice from Benton stated, “Funeral services for Pvt. Edward L. Coates, returned war veteran, were held Saturday at the Benton Primitive Methodist church with full military honors.

Burial took place in the Carr cemetery. 

Pvt. Coates, who lived north of Benton, was killed Feb. 3, 1945 during the Belgium campaign...”

Private Coates was repatriated and reburied in Carr Cemetery in Benton in Lafayette County.

Private Coates is memorialized on the Benton, Wisconsin WWII Memorial. He is listed on the Grant County, Wisconsin Honor Roll list with the National Archives. Private Coates received the Purple Heart, awarded posthumously.

Thank you, Private Edward Louis Coates, for your service to and ultimate sacrifice for this country. We honor you and remember you.