(September 2, 1946 -- June 6, 2006)
Billy's mom and he performed at the church my family attended in Los Angeles in 1968. 'My Country Tis Of Thee' was selected as the theme for Burt Lancaster's third Vietnam War film, 'Twilight's Last Gleaming' (1977)
Phill Coleman
(Phillip Roger Coleman)
Public Biographical Notes.
Phillip Roger Coleman currently serves as Senior Librarian of The American War Library and Editor-in-Chief of DEA Watch.
![]() Cu Chi RVN |
At age eighteen, having assimilated hundreds of years of duty, honor, country wisdom and patriotism passed down from generation-to-generation, Phill, and his brother of ten months senior, Lavalle Jr. (Terry), enlisted in the United States Army at the height of anti-Vietnam War protests in 1968. Both brothers volunteered for duty in Vietnam where they completed full, 12 month tours.
Because of his high security military occupation and combat necessity, Phill served in Vietnam prior to his elder brother Terry. Phill's combat duty was served between August 1969 to August 1970. Terry received his Vietnam orders on the same day Phill returned from Vietnam. Terry served in Nha Trang in support of the 5th Special Forces Group and other agencies between September 1970 to September 1971. After Vietnam Terry served on active duty for another five years in various Department of Defense/Strategic Air Command intelligence capacities.
![]() The Daily Breeze, Torrance CA |
In 1990, Phill Coleman's life story was acquired for feature film by Universal Studios [*], Sean Daniel and James Jacks, Producers;
John Ptak, Phill's representative (William Morris Agency).
Throughout his public service Phill was privileged to serve with and for many fine and patriotic men and women. Of those, Phill especially thanks Harry Robert Haldeman (1926-1993) for his friendship and support; Genl J. P. Vann for sharing his car with me departing Cambodia; Col D. Hackworth for his support during a law enforcement betrayal period; and Genl W.C. Westmoreland, a regular GI, who was immense support during my return from Vietnam, and whom continued to teach me a lot many years after 'Nam. And always first and last, SSG Barry Lee Levin, a fellow Chicago homeboy from the Jewish side of the tracks who endured serious combat in 'Nam but 'never left the jungle' when he returned home.
Phill also thanks his former business partner (Ref: Women's Wear Daily", 01/04/1983), Mary Catherine Flint, for her devoted help and support during his continued federal service... and never asking any questions.
Phill currently serves as Senior Librarian of The American War Library and Editor-in-Chief of DEA Watch. The American War Library debuted online on 04 July 1988, thanks to a grant from the Defense Intelligence Agency with relation to Phill's work on MilNet which later evolved with Senator Albert Gore Jr's guidance into the current Internet. The American War Library today remains the world's largest online military personnel information database with over 91 million personnel and unit listings to ensure the eternal preservation and history of America's warriors who served to ensure our Nation's survival. DEA Watch, established in in May, 1990 (modem) and internet (1996), serves as the daily voice of America's Drug Enforcement Agents.
Member: Disabled Veterans of America
Phill's base unit in Bien Hoa, Republic of South Vietnam
Company A/44, 36th Signal Battalion
A selection of print articles by or about
Phill Coleman...
Phill's military decorations
Unit Citation 1st Signal Brigade, Vietnam |
Defense |
Service |
Campaign |
of Gallantry |
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Site established June 10, 1991