Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Sergeant

    Batallion:

    476th Coast Artillery (AA) Battalion

    Division:

    41st Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    May 30, 1944

    Headquarters, 41st Infantry Division, General Orders No. 28 (1944)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Sergeant Robert A. Cole (ASN: 31245075), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with the 476th Coast Artillery (Anti-Aircraft) Battalion, supporting the 41st Infantry Division, in the vicinity of Soriari Village, Biak Island, on 30 May 1944. During an enemy air attack, Sergeant Cole’s gun section was prepared to go into action when he realized that the power unit was not functioning properly. Mindful of the fact that he was exposing himself to enemy fire from the air, he jumped out of the gun parapet and ran across open terrain to the power plant, approximately twenty yards distant. He made the necessary adjustments and was about to return to his gun position when he was killed by an enemy bomb. Sergeant Cole’s heroic efforts to put his gun back into operation at great danger to himself were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.