Jack Coughlin
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| Jack Coughlin | |
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| Nickname | "Gabriel" (Callsign during time in Somalia) |
| Place of birth | Waltham, Massachusetts |
| Allegiance | USMC |
| Rank | Gunnery Sergeant |
| Unit | 3rd Battalion 4th Marines |
| Battles/wars | Iraq War Somalia |
| Awards | Bronze Star (with V) |
Jack Coughlin is a retired Gunnery Sergeant of the United States Marine Corps (USMC) and is the author of Shooter.
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[edit] Early years
Coughlin was born and raised in Waltham, Massachusetts. He has four older sisters. His father had been a painting contractor until he decided to change his career to one that included history and literature. Before joining the USMC, Jack had never learned how to shoot a rifle. His first experiences with operating firearms occurred while he was in the USMC.
Jack was very passionate about playing baseball throughout his childhood and adolescence. As he proceeded to college, his dreams of making it to Major league baseball were shattered after he hurt his pitching shoulder. Soon after this incident, at the age of 19, Jack decided to enlist in the Marine Corps.
[edit] Life in the Marines
After completing boot camp, Jack was assigned to the 3rd Battalion 4th Marines (3/4) , part of the 7th Marine Regiment of the 1st Marine Division. He was sent to the Marines Scout/Sniper school, which is stationed at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California. He was there for most of his military career.
During the early stages of his military career, Jack was asked to prove the continued merit of snipers by demonstrating the sniper's role in the military evolution of the more modern "urban fighting."
Coughlin was deployed to Basra during the United States 2003 invasion of Iraq with British troops in tow. Later making his way north to the city of Baghdad with his USMC battalion, Jack was present at the famous toppling of the statue of Saddam Hussein.
[edit] Legacy and aftermath
While in Iraq, Jack received his second Bronze Star and a V for Valor.
Coughlin originated the concept of the Mobile Sniper Strike Team (MSST), which he employed in Iraq and is now gaining broader support in the military.
When asked of their opinion of Coughlin, his commanders only said, "I'm just glad he's on our side."[citation needed]
Jack has written a book entitled Shooter, which recounts his military experiences in Iraq.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- Coughlin, GySgt Jack and Kuhlman, Capt. Casey with Davis, Donald A., Shooter: The Autobiography of the Top-Ranked Marine Sniper, St. Martins, hardback edition - 2005, paperback edition - 2006.
