World War II Medal of Honor Recipient. He received the award posthumously (presented to this widow) on April 17, 1947 for his actions as a sergeant with the 1st Battalion, 23rd Marines, on February 19, 1945, at Iwo Jima, Japan. After graduating from High school in 1938, he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps for a year, then went to work for the automobile industry in Detroit, Michigan. In August 1941 he joined the US Marine Corps and initially trained to be a bugler. Following the US entry into World War II in December 1941, he was assigned to the Pacific Theater of Operations and participated in the Battles of Guadalcanal, Kwajalein, Saipan, and Tinian. During the Mariana and Palau Islands Campaign, he requested and was granted front line duty and was promoted the the rank of sergeant in November 1944. On February 19, 1945, he was part of the initial wave of the Iwo Jima invasion and was killed by an enemy grenade at the age of 24 after single handedly destroying two enemy emplacements. Originally interred at Iwo Jima's 4th Marine Cemetery, his remains were later moved to his hometown cemetery.at his father's request. Among his other military awards include the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart (with gold star). The 2nd US Navy destroyer USS Cole (DDG-67), which was damaged by a suicide terrorist attack in the Yemeni port of Aden on October 12, 2000), was named in his honor. His Medal of Honor citation reads: "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as Leader of a Machine-gun Section of Company B, First Battalion, Twenty-Third Marines, Fourth Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces during the assault on Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands, 19 February 1945. Assailed by a tremendous volume of small-arms, mortar and artillery fire as he advanced with one squad of his section in the initial assault wave, Sergeant Cole boldly led his men up the sloping beach toward Airfield Number One despite the blanketing curtain of flying shrapnel and, personally destroying with hand grenades two hostile emplacements which menaced the progress of his unit, continued to move forward until a merciless barrage of fire emanating from three Japanese pillboxes halted the advance. Instantly placing his one remaining machine gun in action, he delivered a shattering fusillade and succeeded in silencing the nearest and most threatening emplacement before his weapon jammed and the enemy, reopening fire with knee mortars and grenades, pinned down his unit for the second time. Shrewdly gauging the tactical situation and evolving a daring plan of counterattack, Sergeant Cole, armed solely with a pistol and one grenade, coolly advanced alone to the hostile pillboxes. Hurling his one grenade at the enemy in sudden, swift attack, he quickly withdrew, returned to his own lines for additional grenades and again advanced, attacked, and withdrew. With enemy guns still active, he ran the gauntlet of slashing fire a third time to complete the total destruction of the Japanese strong point and the annihilation of the defending garrison in this final assault. Although instantly killed by an enemy grenade as he returned to his squad, Sergeant Cole had eliminated a formidable Japanese position, thereby enabling his company to storm the remaining fortifications, continue the advance and seize the objective. By his dauntless initiative, unfaltering courage and indomitable determination during a critical period of action, Sergeant Cole served as an inspiration to his comrades, and his stouthearted leadership in the face of almost certain death sustained and enhanced the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country."