Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Gene
Harold
Cole
POW (Korea)

Born:

Huntington Park

, 

California

Home:

San Diego

, 

California

Awards Received

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    28th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    8th Fighter-Bomber Wing

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Korea)

    Action Date:

    August 6, 1952 – September 6, 1953
    NARA Database: Repatriated Korean Conflict Prisoners of War, 7/5/1950 – 10/6/1954

    First Lieutenant Gene Harold Cole (AFSN: 0-760252), United States Air Force, was captured by communist forces after he was shot down over North Korea on 6 August 1952, and was held as a Prisoner of War until his release on 6 September 1953, during Operation Big Switch at the end of the war.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Regiment:

    55th Fighter Group

    Action Date:

    World War II
    Headquarters, 3d Bomb Division (H), General Orders No. 742 (October 3, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Gene Harold Cole (AFSN: 0-760252), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Fighter Pilot of the 55th Fighter Group, in action against the enemy in aerial combat over Germany and German occupied Continental Europe during World War II. The courage and skill with which Lieutenant Cole flew his aircraft and engaged attacking enemy fighters have on many occasions assisted heavy bomber formations to reach their targets and return to their bases with a minimum of loss. The devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Cole on these escort flights and his disregard for personal safety in exposing himself to the hazards of low-level flying on strafing missions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Army Air Forces.