Death of Moynalvey man honoured for bravery in Vietnam

The death has occurred of Michel Coyne, the Moynalvey man who was awarded five Purple Hearts and two Bronze Stars after seeing action in the Vietnam War.

Michael, of Jenkinstown, Kilcock, died after a short illness in Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown, on Sunday.

Born in Corr Na Moná, Co Galway in 1945, his father, Tomás, brought him along with his brothers and sister, Patsy, Tomás, Rory and Mary, to Jenkinstown, in Meath in the 1950s as part of the Land Commission transfers, where they then grew up and worked on their dairy farm.

Michael emigrated to the United States at the age of 16, where he worked with his cousin in Chicago. He was then drafted in to the United States Army and served his time in Vietnam with the D Company in the 11th Armored Cavalry from 1967 to 1968. He was awarded five Purple Hearts for injuries sustained while serving and he was also awarded two Bronze Stars with V Device for Bravery including one for saving his fellow soldiers while under fire from three damaged tanks on the middle of a minefield.

Michael is survived by his "wife and soul mate" Elizabeth, sons, Tomás and Michael, daughter, Vanessa, grandchildren, Michael Jnr, Luiceah, Martin Jnr and Sophie and the many associations and trusts he was involved with in the American Legion, Irish Veterans and the Tipperary remembrance trust.

A small private Funeral Mass of 50 family and friends will be held in Clonbur, Co Galway.

His family would ask that over the coming days, everyone who knew Michael would take some time to light a candle or say a prayer.

A fuller tribute appears in this evening's Meath Chronicle.

ABOVE PHOTO: The late Michael Coyne with Kathleen O'Malley and Pamela Gilsenan on a visit to students of Moynalvey National School.