Sergeant Darrell S. Cole
United States Marine Corps Reserve
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as Leader of a machine-gun Section of Company B, First Battalion, Twenty-Third Marines, Fourth 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 one squad of his section in the initial assault wave, Sergeant Cole boldly led his men up the sloping beach toward Airfield Number One despite the blanketing curtain of flying shrapnel and, personally destroying with hand grenades two hostile emplacements which menaced the progress of his unit, continued to move forward until a merciless barrage of fire emanating from three Japanese pillboxes halted the advance. Instantly placing his one remaining machine gun 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 counterattact, Sergeant Cole, armed solely with a pistol and one grenade, coolly advanced alone to the hostile pillboxes. Hurling his one 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 gantlet 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, Sergeant 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, Sergeant Cole served as an inspiration to his comrades, and his stouthearted leadership in the face of almost certain death sustained and enhanced the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Harry S. Truman
President of the United States
Footnote: Sergeant Cole was born
in Flat River, (now Park Hills) Missouri 20 July 1920, and graduated from the
high school in Esther (now also in Park Hills) in 1938. His interests at that
time were the French Horn and in playing basketball. Also, he was interested
in photography and hunting.
After a stint in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC's) and a job as a machinist,
Darrell joined the Marine Corps on 25 July 1941. After "boot camp" he was assigned
to Field Music School. His first overseas assignment was with H-2-1, First Marine
Division, and he filed his first of three petitions to change his warrant from
"Field Music" to one in the Weapons Company. Returning to the United States
in 1943, Cole was assigned to B-1-23, Fourth Marine Division, and was again
denied a change of warrant. On Roi-Namur he repeated his performance on the
machine guns as he had on Guadalcanal. His leadership of his machine gun section
on Saipan earned him the Bronze Star. After the Mariana Islands Campaign his
third petition for a transfer to line duty was granted and he received his promotion
to Sergeant.
His heroism on Iwo Jima on 19 February 1945, resulted in the posthumous award
of the Medal of Honor. His remains are interred in Park View Cemetery near Farmington,
Missouri, and a bust of Cole was dedicated on 20 July 1985, on the campus o
Mineral Area College. His Medal of Honor and other memorabilia are securely
encased in the college library. On 8 April 1995, an Aegis Guided Missile
Destroyer was christened the "Cole DDG-67." A 1920 dime, the year of his birth,
and a 1945 quarter, the year of his death, were placed in the ship's mast by
his sister, Mrs. Waunita Cole Frost. The ship was commissioned on 8 June 1996........
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SHIELD: Dark Blue and gold represent the sea and excellence and are traditionally associated with the Navy. Red, for blood and courage, denotes valor and sacrifice. The trident symbolizes sea prowess and DDG 67's modern warfare capabilities of the Aegis and Vertical Launching systems. The three tines represent submarine, surface and air strike capabilities. The three hand grenades commerorate Sergeant Cole's heroic one-man grenade attack. The broken chevron or wedge, alludes to Sergeant Cole's breaking the enemy's hold, enabling his company to attain its ultimate objective. The three grenades also represent the traits, courage, valor and honor, commemorating Sergeant Cole's fighting spirit and dedication. CREST: The blue reversed star highlights the Medal of Honor posthumously awarded to Sergeant Cole. The crossed Marine Mameluke and Navy sword signify cooperation and strength and reflects the fighting spirit. The French horn underscores his service with the Marine Corps as a Field Music and is combined with the swords to symbolize his nickname, "The Fighting Field Music." The laurel wreath is emblematic of honor and high achievement. MOTTO: GLORIA MERCES VIRTUTIS " GLORY IS THE REWARD OF VALOR underscores the spirit of Sergeant Cole, his extraordinary heroism, unwavering loyalty to country, and bravery in facing professional adversity and danger without fear. "A DETERMINED WARRIOR". |