World War II Honoree

Richard E. Cole

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Dayton, Ohio

Honored By

Ralph Bozorth

HE WAS A COLONEL AND THE CO-PILOT ON THE 1ST B-25 BOMBER THAT TOOK OFF FROM THE AIRCRAFT CARRIER USS HORNET FOR THE DOOLITTLE RAID ON TOKYO, JAPAN ON APRIL 18, 1942. HE REMAINED IN CHINA-BURMA-INDIA AFTER THE TOKYO RAID UNTIL JUNE 1943 AND SERVED AGAIN IN THE CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER FROM OCTOBER 1943 UNTIL JUNE 1944. HE WAS RELIEVED FROM ACTIVE DUTY IN JANUARY 1947. HIS DECORATIONS INCLUDE DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS WITH 2 OAK LEAF CLUSTERS, AIR MEDAL WITH 1 OAK LEAF CLUSTER, BRONZE STAR MEDAL, AIR FORCE COMMENDATION MEDAL AND CHINESE ARMY, NAVY AND AIR CORPS MEDAL, CLASS A, 1ST GRADE.