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fromthe

SOMA PRESIDENT

SOMA Members and JSOM Readers, Jim served 25 years in the military, culmi-
nating in his final assignment with the US
Russ S. Kotwal, MD, MP
H
his President’s message is dedicated to COL Russ S. Kotwal, MD, MPH Army Special Operations Command at Fort
COL (Ret), US Armymy
T(Ret) Jimmie Dean Coy. CO L (R et ) U S Ar Bragg, North Carolina. Jim was a student of
history, the Bible, and the military. He au-
COL (Ret) Jim Coy, CPT (Ret) Bob thored numerous articles on his research to include developing
Clayton, LTC (Ret) Dale Hamilton, lightweight x-ray equipment for use in trauma, military, and
and LTC (Ret) David Leppert are the Special Operations medicine. Jim also authored several books
founding members of the Special Op- on leadership, courage, hope, and faith.
erations Medical Association (SOMA),
initially established in 1987 and offi- Jim served with several Special Operations units to include the
cially formed as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) during the Gulf War par-
organization in 1992. COL Jim Coy ticipating in Operation Urban Freedom, the liberation of Ku-
served two terms as SOMA’s first pres- wait City. His military awards and badges include the Legion
ident from 1992 to 1995. of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service, Meritorious Service
Medal, Army Commendation Medal with oak leaf clusters,
COL Jim Coy passed away on December 27, Dedication Combat Medical Badge, Flight Surgeon Badge,
2020. His wife Vicki was at his side at the time Airborne Badge, Air Assault Badge, and Israeli
in Columbia, Missouri. Jim was born October Airborne Badge. Jim was also awarded the pres-
31, 1946, in Kirksville, Missouri. He graduated tigious Order of Military Medical Merit Medal-
from Kirksville High School and received a Bach- lion from the Army Medical Department.
elor of Science degree from Northeast Missouri
State University in 1968. Jim earned his Doctor The SOMA legacy that Jim and our founding
of Osteopathic Medicine degree in 1973 from members started has grown from a small annual
Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine. He meeting designed to update a handful of Special
completed his radiology residency at the Univer- Forces medics in a small conference room at
sity of Missouri Medical Center in 1978. Fort Bragg, North Carolina, to what is now a
COL (Ret) Jim Coy training, education, scientific assembly, and ex-
He will be deeply missed by those who survive, including his hibition hosted at a large convention center in a
wife, Vicki; his children: Tim Coy, Tricia (Keith) Ragsdell, Josh major city and attended by a unique blend of thousands of in-
Coy; and grandchildren: Jacob, Joe, Sam, and Sophie Rags- ternational military and civilian members, providing updates,
dell; sister, Jeanie Auseon; sister-in-law, Jeanne Coy; brother, exchanging techniques, and sharing innovations in combat
Gordon, and his wife, Lenora. casualty care, prolonged field care, human performance, wil-
derness, austere, disaster, prehospital, and deployed medicine.
Notable is that the discussions and collaborations that start at
the SOMA Scientific Assembly continue throughout the year
and have worldwide impact.

Jim, thank you for your enduring contributions to the SOMA
legacy, and thank you for your service to God, country, and
the well-being of others. De Oppresso Liber!
Russ S. Kotwal, MD, MPH
COL (Ret), US Army
SOMA President

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