Creek Nation World War II Vet And Former POW Dies

A Creek Nation veteran from Sapulpa who was held captive in Japan during World War II died Monday evening at a Tulsa hospital.

Phillip Coon, 95, was a Corporal in the U.S. Army's 31st Infantry when he was taken prisoner while serving in the Philippines. He spent three and a half years as a POW in Japan.

In October 2013, Coon returned to Japan as part of a POW Friendship program sponsored by the country of Japan.

10/12/2013 Related Story: Sapulpa Vet And Former POW Returning To Japan 70 Years Later

Creek Nation Principal Chief George Tiger reflected on Coon: 

"This Nation has lost a hero.  Someone that was very well respected, not only in the Creek Nation, but the entire country. I'm amazed that whenever he and I were able to go somewhere together, the tremendous respect that people had for him.  I remember the State Legislature honoring him a couple of years ago, and he asked me to speak on his behalf, just people knowing that he stood for defending freedom as we see it today.  Going through the ordeal on the Bataan Death March, he was a pillar of strength for all of us."  

Funeral services for Phillip Coon will be June 27, 2014 at 10 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Okmulgee, Oklahoma.  

Interment will be at the Ft. Gibson National Cemetery with full military honors provided by the Creek Nation Honor Guard.