William James Coultrup

Colonel William Coultrup was born in Trinidad on 21 December 1962 and raised overseas while his father worked in the oil and gas industry. He graduated from Texas A&M in 1985 and was commissioned an Armor 2nd Lieutenant with the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment. In 1989 he became a Special Forces Officer and was the Distinguished Honor Graduate of the Special Forces Qualification Course.

In 1993 Captain Coultrup and his unit deployed to Mogadishu, Somalia, as Task Force Ranger in response to a critical situation on the ground that threatened the stability of the United Nation’s relief mission. On 3 October 1993 Task Force Ranger conducted an assault. As the task force was preparing for exfiltration, one of the MH-60 Blackhawk helicopters was shot down. Coultrup and his team fast-roped onto the site under heavy enemy fire. When a second Blackhawk was shot down, Coultrup’s unit spent the night repelling attacks attempting to overrun the crash site. The events are immortalized in the book and movie “Blackhawk Down.” For his actions, he was awarded the Silver Star, Purple Heart, and Combat Infantryman Badge.

During his 30-year career, 24 years were in Special Operations, of which 10 years were combat tours. Coultrup participated in numerous combat operations in Somalia, Bosnia, Iraq, Afghanistan, the Philippines, and other sensitive locations worldwide. From 2001 to 2005, Lieutenant Colonel Coultrup deployed five different times to war zones. For his actions during these missions, Coultrup’s awards also include two Bronze Stars and the Defense Superior Service Award.

Colonel Coultrup is a respected speaker for several charities and was key in raising $250,000 for one military support charity. He remains active in supporting Oklahomans through the Oklahoma Chapter of the Special Forces Association, the Military Order of World Wars, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He resides in Edmond, Oklahoma.