Robert G. Cole
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| Robert G. Cole | |
|---|---|
| March 19, 1915 - September 18, 1944 | |
 LtCol. Robert G. Cole, U.S. Army, 101st Airborne |
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| Place of birth | Fort Sam Houston, Texas |
| Place of death | KIA in Best, Netherlands |
| Allegiance | U.S. Army |
| Years of service | 1939-1944 |
| Rank | Lieutenant Colonel |
| Unit | 101st Airborne |
| Battles/wars | World War II "Cole's Charge" |
| Awards | Medal of Honor |
Lieutenant Colonel Robert G. Cole (March 19, 1915 – September 18, 1944) was an American soldier who received the Medal of Honor for his actions in the days following the D Day invasion of France.
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[edit] Early Service Career
Robert G. Cole was born in Fort Sam Houston, Texas, entered service there and attended the U.S. Military Academy, graduating in 1939. He was commissioned a lieutenant and in March 1941 he received his jump wings. Quickly rising through the ranks, by 1943 Cole was commander of the 3rd Battalion of the 502d PIR 101st Airborne.
[edit] D-Day Operations
LTC Cole parachuted into Normandy on June 5, 1944 with his unit as part of D-Day Operation Chicago. By the evening of June 6, he had assembled his force of 250 men. Initially his battalion had been placed on reserve but were called into action to attack four bridges on the road to Carentan. Cole's unit had sustained so many casualties on this mission that the causeway his unit was following came to be known as "Purple Heart Lane". His entire unit was pinned down by enemy machine gun, mortar and artillery fire for over an hour.
By the morning of June 11, with the Germans still resisting any attempt to take the bridges, LTC Cole ordered heavy artillery on enemy strongholds. When this failed to displace the entrenched Germans, Cole took desperate measures. He ordered his men to fix bayonets and attack. He ordered an artillery bombardment on the Germans, as well as a smoke screen, and at 06:15, Cole blew his whistle and personally led his remaining men across the bullet-ridden ground, firing his pistol toward the last German stronghold.
Along the way he picked up a fallen soldier's rifle and bayonet, and without regard for his own safety, led his men to capture the stronghold. The attack had not been without a price; only 132 of his men remained after the assault. This assault came to be known as "Cole's Charge". (see Purple Heart Lane for additional info)
[edit] Medal of Honor
LTC Cole was recommended for a Medal of Honor for his actions that day but unfortunately he would not live to receive it. The 29-year-old Lt. Col. was killed by a sniper during Operation Market Garden on September 18, 1944 in Best, Netherlands. His mother received the posthumous Medal of Honor for him. LTC Cole is buried at American Battlefields Monuments Commission Cemetery in the Netherlands.
[edit] Medal of Honor citation:
- For gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his own life, above and beyond the call of duty on 11 June 1944, in France. Lt. Col. Cole was personally leading his battalion in forcing the last 4 bridges on the road to Carentan when his entire unit was suddenly pinned to the ground by intense and withering enemy rifle, machinegun, mortar, and artillery fire placed upon them from well-prepared and heavily fortified positions within 150 yards of the foremost elements. After the devastating and unceasing enemy fire had for over 1 hour prevented any move and inflicted numerous casualties, Lt. Col. Cole, observing this almost hopeless situation, courageously issued orders to assault the enemy positions with fixed bayonets. With utter disregard for his own safety and completely ignoring the enemy fire, he rose to his feet in front of his battalion and with drawn pistol shouted to his men to follow him in the assault. Catching up a fallen man's rifle and bayonet, he charged on and led the remnants of his battalion across the bullet-swept open ground and into the enemy position. His heroic and valiant action in so inspiring his men resulted in the complete establishment of our bridgehead across the Douve River. The cool fearlessness, personal bravery, and outstanding leadership displayed by Lieutenant Colonel Cole reflect great credit upon himself and are worthy of the highest praise in the military service.
[edit] Legacy
Robert G. Cole High School in Fort Sam Houston is named after Robert G. Cole as well as a housing area, Cole Park, in Fort Campbell, Kentucky. LTC Cole is one of the true-to-life characters in the 2005 Gearbox Software game Brothers In Arms: Road to Hill 30. Cole's character first appears in Brothers In Arms: Road to Hill 30 in St Mer Eglise on the morning of D-Day.
[edit] References
- This article incorporates text in the public domain from the U.S. Army.
- LTC Robert G. Cole - Medal of Honor. Fort Sam Houston Museum, U.S. Army. Retrieved on 2006-11-13.
