Doyle Henson Cole was born March 26, 1921 in Keota, Okla. to Samuel Walter & Ellna Mae Cone Cole. By 1930 they were living in Fort Smith, Sebastian Co., Ar. Doyle married Thelma Bernice Ramey. Doyle graduated from Fort Smith High School. In 1942 Doyle joined the Marines and trained to be a pilot. He served from 1942 - 1970 in WWII, Korean War and Vietnam before retiring as a Lt. Col. in 1970. His service included: 1021-Pilot, VMSB Single Engine 2543-Pilot, Basic 1059-Pilot, VMF (Carrier Qual) Single Engine 1081-Pilot, B-25 1002-Pilot, VMB Twin Engine 747-Aviation Machinist Mate Mechanic 770-Naval Aviator Pilot - Enlisted (NAP) 5949-Aviation Radar Technician 7320-Air Traffic Control Officer 6720-Air Traffic Control Officer, Automated Systems 6724-Radar Approach Controller 7599-Flight Student (TBS) 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.

1951


Aug 14, 1950
Cincinnati Enquirer
Cincinnati, Ohio (and at least 17 other papers)