Darrell Samuel Cole-Farmington, MO
Posted by: 
Don.Morfe
N 37° 48.282 W 090° 26.664
15S E 724987 N 4187223
World War II Medal of Honor Recipient for action on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands on February 19, 1945. He was killed in action. He is buried in Parkview Cemetery, Farmington, MO. The USS Cole was named after him. It was attacked in the Persian Gulf on October 12, 2000, killing 17 and injuring 39 US Navy sailors.
Waymark Code: WMWXH2
Location: Missouri, United States
Date Posted: 10/26/2017
Views: 1
He was born on July 20, 1920 in Flat River, MO and died on February 19, 1945 on Iwo Jima, Japan. His Medal of Honor information and citation is:
*COLE, DARRELL SAMUEL
• Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve
• Entered service at. Esther, Mo.
• Other Navy award: Bronze Star Medal
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as leader of a Machinegun Section of Company B, 1st Battalion, 23d Marines, 4th Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces during the assault on Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands, 19 February 1945. Assailed by a tremendous volume of small-arms, mortar and artillery fire as he advanced with 1 squad of his section in the initial assault wave, Sgt. Cole boldly led his men up the sloping beach toward Airfield No. 1 despite the blanketing curtain of flying shrapnel and, personally destroying with hand grenades 2 hostile emplacements which menaced the progress of his unit, continued to move forward until a merciless barrage of fire emanating from 3 Japanese pillboxes halted the advance. Instantly placing his 1 remaining machinegun in action, he delivered a shattering fusillade and succeeded in silencing the nearest and most threatening emplacement before his weapon jammed and the enemy, reopening fire with knee mortars and grenades, pinned down his unit for the second time. Shrewdly gauging the tactical situation and evolving a daring plan of counterattack, Sgt. Cole, armed solely with a pistol and 1 grenade, coolly advanced alone to the hostile pillboxes. Hurling his 1 grenade at the enemy in sudden, swift attack, he quickly withdrew, returned to his own lines for additional grenades and again advanced, attacked, and withdrew. With enemy guns still active, he ran the gauntlet of slashing fire a third time to complete the total destruction of the Japanese strong point and the annihilation of the defending garrison in this final assault. Although instantly killed by an enemy grenade as he returned to his squad, Sgt. Cole had eliminated a formidable Japanese position, thereby enabling his company to storm the remaining fortifications, continue the advance, and seize the objective. By his dauntless initiative, unfaltering courage, and indomitable determination during a critical period of action, Sgt. Cole served as an inspiration to his comrades, and his stouthearted leadership in the face of almost certain death sustained and enhanced the highest tradition of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Armed Service: Marines
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