This Military Service Page was created/owned by
Laura Cole-Family
to remember
Marine LtCol Doyle Henson Cole.
If you knew or served with this Marine and have additional information or photos to support this Page, please leave a message for the Page Administrator(s) HERE.
Contact Info
Home Town Ft. Smith, AR
Last Address Highway 59 Frog Hollow Arkansas
Date of Passing Jul 15, 1980
Location of Interment Fort Smith National Cemetery (VA) - Fort Smith, Arkansas
Retired. Spent time managing a farm for widowed mother of a friend.
Other Comments:
SILVER STAR
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant Doyle H. Cole (MCSN: 0-20941), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Pilot of a Fighter Plane in Marine Fighter Squadron THREE HUNDRED TWENTY-THREE (VMF-323) during action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 11 August 1950. Participating in a close support strike which intercepted and routed a mechanized column of enemy troops, Second Lieutenant Cole made several bold strafing and rocket runs in the face of intense hostile fire, aiding materially in the destruction of thirty hostile vehicles and hundreds of the enemy. With his plane hit during the action and losing oil rapidly, he elected to remain with his section leader when his plane was also struck and forced to crash-land in enemy territory. Furnishing cover for the downed pilot, he stood ready to make strafing runs to prevent the hostile troops from capturing the pilot, resolutely maintaining this position until another fighter plane and a rescue helicopter arrived on the scene to relieve him. Finally making his way back to safety, he skillfully guided his crippled aircraft to friendly lines and, just as his engine failed due to lack of oil, crash-landed in the sea at the edge of the beach line. Second Lieutenant Cole's superb airmanship, outstanding courage and selfless devotion to duty in the face of grave personal risk were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
