As Long As Man Exists On Planet Earth
There Will Be Senseless Blood Shed
Let Us Never Forget The Sacrifices Made By Our Heroic Men And Women
Sergeant Darrell Samuel Cole
Namesake Of The USS Cole
United States Marine Corps Reserve
Deceased
American Hero
On August 25-1941
Cole enlisted in the Marine Corps for the duration of the National Emergency
Following boot camp training at Parris Island, South Carolina
He was appointed to the Field Music School for training as a Marine Corps Field Music
The equivalent of a bugler
Completing instruction
He was transferred to the First Marine Regiment, First Marine Division
On August 7, 1942
He reached the shores of Guadalcanal during the first American offensive of World War II.
Not too happy in his role of field music when he had joined a fighting outfit to fight and
after acquitting himself meritoriously as a machine gunner in the absence of the regular gunner
He applied for a change in rating, but was refused due to the shortage of buglers
He completed his first overseas tour of duty and returned to the United States in February 1943
He then joined First Battalion, Twenty-Third Marines
They were forming as a part of the Fourth Marine Division at Camp Lejune, North Carolina
When the unit moved to California he again asked for relief as a Field Music
And for permission to perform line duties
He was again refused, due to the shortage of buglers in the Marine Corps
During the first engagement of the Fourth Division at Roi-Namur in the Kwajalein Atoll
Cole, again forsaking his bugle, went into action as a machine-gunner
Four months later, when the Division stormed ashore at Saipan
He had been assigned to a machine-gun unit
Because of his proven ability in combat
He was designated a machine gun section leader
During the battle when his squad leader was killed, Cole
Although wounded, assumed command of the entire squad and acquitted himself in such a manner to be awarded the Bronze Star Medal
He was awarded the medal for his resolute leadership
indomitable fighting spirit and tenacious determination in the face of terrific opposition"
He was also awarded the Purple Heart Medal for wounds received in action
A few days after the battle of Saipan
Cole, again led his squad ashore in the invasion of the neighboring islands of Tinian
Where he continued to live up to his growing reputation as "The Fighting Field Music"
After the Marianas campaigns he again requested a change of rating and this time his request was approved
He was redesignated Corporal "line"
And was subsequently promoted to Sergeant in November 1944
On February 19, 1945, Sergeant Cole led his machine gun section ashore in the D-Day assault of Iwo Jima
Moving forward with the initial assault wave
Their advance was halted by a hail of gunfire from two Japanese emplacements which Sergeant Cole personally destroyed with hand grenades
His unit continued to advance until pinned down for a second time by enemy fire from three Japanese gun emplacements
One of these emplacements was silenced by Cole's machine guns
But when they jammed, armed only with a pistol and one hand grenade
Sergeant Cole made a one-man attack against the two remaining positions
Twice he returned to his own lines for additional grenades
And continued the attack under fierce enemy fire
Until he had succeeded in destroying the Japanese strong point
Returning to his own squad, he was instantly killed by an enemy grenade
Because of his one-man attack and heroic self-sacrifice
Sergeant Cole enabled his company to move forward against fortifications
And attain their ultimate objective
Recommend Rasky's Site To A Friend!
COPYRIGHT © 2000-
RASKY'S VIETNAM MEMORIAL
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Namesake Of The USS Cole
United States Marine Corps Reserve
Deceased
American Hero
On August 25-1941
Recommend Rasky's Site To A Friend!
RASKY'S VIETNAM MEMORIAL
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED