Bernard Coy
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Bernard Paul Coy was a prisoner at Alcatraz prison, and is known for his escape attempt on May 2, 1946. Coy, along with Joe Cretzer, Marvin Hubbard, Sam Shockley, Miran Thompson, and Clarence Carnes planned to break into the gun galleries to steal weapons, take hostages and then flee to the dock. He was successful in creating a makeshift bar-spreader that enabled him to get past the weak bars that protected the gun galleries. Firearms were then distributed among his accomplices. The plan was all going well, until they arrived at the prison recreation-yard door, but were unable to find the right key. Desperate, the escapees took several guards hostage. The struggle between the prison authorities and the group of prisoners turned into a violent battle, that has become known as the Battle of Alcatraz or "Alcatraz Blastout". Eventually, the guards overcame the escapees. Cretzer, Coy, and Hubbard were killed in the corridor by bullets and shrapnel. The other three escapees retreated to their cells. Two officers, William Miller and Harold Stites were killed and about 18 officers were injured.
