Paul Coffman was born on September 14, 1888, in Mason City, Nebraska to Hiram Thomas and MaryJane Bernice (Amsberry). He had three brothers and one sister. Prior to joining the Army in 1918, Paul farmed the Coffman farm and worked as a veterinarian with Gene Gill and others in their horse barns in Mason City.
Paul Coffman didn't have to go into the service as he was the only one left to support his mother, but he volunteered to join the Army during World War I and served as a Private in Co. I 355th Infantry from June 4, 1918 until his death on September 8, 1918 at the age of 29.
Coffman was one of the first to lose his life in France in 1918. He and several comrades took refuge in a shell hole and as they descended into the hole, a hand grenade exploded accidentally killing Paul Coffman instantly. He was originally buried in Saint Mihiel American Cemetery and Memorial, Thiaucourt-Regnieville, Departement de Meurthe-et-Moselle, Lorraine, France. Later he was brought back to be reinterred in Custer County, Nebraska.
