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Charles
Harold
Cole
, Jr.
POW (WWII)
September 27, 1920

–

October 31, 2003

Born:

St. Joseph

, 

Missouri

Home:

St. Joseph

, 

Missouri

During World War II, Charles Cole became a U.S. Army Air Forces ACE, credited with shooting down 5 enemy aircraft in aerial combat before he was himself shot down and held as a Prisoner of War. After the war he transferred to the new U.S. Air Force, and helped to form the “Acrojets”, precursor to the Air Force “Thunderbirds.” He spent two years as an advisor to the South Vietnamese Air Force during the Vietnam War, before retiring in 1966 as a U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel.

Awards Received

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    77th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    20th Fighter Group

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (Germany)

    Action Date:

    February 25, 1945 – May 1945
    NARA Database: Records of World War II Prisoners of War, created, 1942 – 38484

    Captain (Air Corps) Charles Harold Cole, Jr. (ASN: 0-725682), United States Army Air Forces, was captured by German forces after he was shot down on 25 February 1945, and was held as a Prisoner of War until his return to U.S. Military Control at the end of hostilities in May 1945.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    77th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    20th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain (Air Corps) Charles Harold Cole, Jr. (ASN: 0-725682), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a P-40 Fighter Pilot of the 77th Fighter Squadron, 20th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    77th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    20th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    February 25, 1945

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain (Air Corps) Charles Harold Cole, Jr. (ASN: 0-725682), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a P-40 Fighter Pilot of the 77th Fighter Squadron, 20th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, extraordinary achievement while leading a Squadron of P-51 aircraft on a strafing mission over Germany, 25 February 1945. On this date Captain Cole proceeded to the strafing area where five FW-190’s were sighted taking off. Positioning himself on the tail of the lead airplane, he opened fire and caused the enemy aircraft to burst into flames and crash into the ground. Displaying aggressive courage, Captain Cole immediately attained tactical advantage over another hostile fighter and releasing a burst, caused its destruction. In the succeeding engagement Captain Cole’s airplane was damaged. Placing the second in command in charge of the Squadron, he attempted to return but was forced to crash land in enemy territory. The courage, coolness and skill displayed by Captain Cole on this occasion reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States