Melvin Rupert Coward^[1]

1924 - 1997  (73 years)

• Name	Melvin Rupert Coward
  Born	23 Jun 1924	Callands, Pittsylvania, Virginia
  Gender	Male
  Died	27 Oct 1997	Callands, Pittsylvania Co., Virginia
  Buried	Danville Memorial Gardens, Danville City, Virginia
  Person ID	I9746	My Reynolds Line | Descendants Hugh Pittsylvania Reynolds
  Last Modified	29 May 2020

  
  

  Father	William McKinley Coward,   b. 9 Feb 1897, Pittsylvania County, Virginia ,   d. 28 May 1939, Callands, Pittsylvania, Virginia  (Age 42 years)
  Mother	Tabitha Susan "Tabby" Aaron,   b. 20 Apr 1898, Pittsylvania County, Virginia ,   d. 12 Oct 1988, Callands, Pittsylvania, Virginia  (Age 90 years)
  Married	7 Feb 1918	Pittsylvania Co., Virginia
  Family ID	F3780	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	Living
  Children	1. Living   2. Living   3. Living   4. Living   5. Robin Denise Coward,   b. 15 Mar 1963, Pittsylvania County, Virginia ,   d. 24 Dec 2009  (Age 46 years)
  Last Modified	12 Apr 2017
  Family ID	F3154	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Headstones

  Danville Memorial Gardens Melvin Rupert Coward

  
  

  Histories

  Melvin R Coward-Wins Air Metal in Italy The Danville Bee Nov 10, 1944

  
  

• Notes

  CALLANDS - Melvin Rupert Coward, 73, 1012 Barn Road, died Monday morning, Oct. 27, 1997, at his residence. Born June 23, 1924, in Pittsylvania County, he was a son of William M. Coward and Tabitha Aaron Coward. He was married to Rachel Reynolds Coward, who survives. He was a member of County Line Christian Church, and was retired from furniture factories in Martinsville. During World War II, he served in the Army Air Force as a flight maintenance gunner in the 483rd Bomb Group. He flew 35 missions on a B-17 Bomber over Northern Italy. He received the Silver Star, Bronze Star and numerous other medals during his military career. In addition to his wife of the residence, survivors include three sons, Tony Coward of Collinsville, Michael Coward of Danville and Perry Coward of Callands; a daughter, Robin Coward of Callands; two brothers, Fred Coward of Danville and Justice E. Coward of Callands; and four grandchildren and two step-grandchildren. A graveside service will be conducted 1 p.m. Wednesday in Danville Memorial Gardens by the Rev. J.D. Hunt III. The family will receive friends 7-8 tonight at Scott Funeral Home, Chatham, and other times at the residence in Callands.

  
  

• Sources

  [S3] Mary Frances Reynolds Eggleston. E-mail From Sandra June Reynolds May 20114 The family were farmers. He left home and went to Maryland to work in a factory, met the lady he married and joined the navy. His brother Melvin went with him to Maryland but came home for a visit and never went back but joined the military and served as a Flight Maintenance Gunner in the 483 Bomb Group from April 23, 1943 until Oct. 5, 1945. He flew 36 missions on a B17 Bomber and received a silver Star, Bronze Star as well as numerous medals during his career. He married Rachel Ann Reynolds. Had 4 sons who also served in the military. He also had one daughter. Their father, William M. Coward was a Constable who was shot in the line of duty at Grady store in Callands. Va. He has a stone in Chatham, Va along with other fallen officers of the court. Hassell's brother Fred was married and had 4 sons. Justice Edward Coward never married. Name: Melvin R Coward Name (Original): COWARD MELVIN R Event Type: Military Service Event Date: 16 Apr 1943 Term of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the War or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the discretion of the President or otherwise according to law Event Place: Richmond, Virginia, United States Residence Place: Race: White Citizenship Status: citizen Birth Year: 1924 Birthplace: VIRGINIA Education Level: 2 years of high school Civilian Occupation: Semiskilled occupations in building of aircraft, n.e.c. Marital Status: Single, without dependents Military Rank: Private Army Branch: Army Component: Selectees (Enlisted Men) Source Reference: Civil Life Serial Number: 33634248 Affiliate Publication Title: Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, ca. 1938-1946 Affiliate ARC Identifier: 1263923 Box Film Number: 06871.204