World War II Honoree

Donald C. Cole

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Whittier, California

Honored By

Ray W. Butler

Relationship

Comrade In Arms

STATIONED AT SNETTERTON HEATH, ENGLAND. HIS SQUADRON OF B-17 BOMBERS FLEW A FORMIDABLE MISSION JANUARY 5,1944 TO ATTACK A GERMAN AIRFIELD AT BORDEAUX, FRANCE. AFTER A SUCCESSFUL ATTACK ON THE INSTALLATION HIS PLANE WAS HIT BY FIERCE ANTI-AIRCRAFT FIRE THAT DAMAGED 2 ENGINES. WAS SET UPON AND STRAFED FURIOUSLY BY GERMAN FIGHTER PLANES. HIS SERIOUSLY DAMAGED PLANE WAS HEADED FOR 2 POPULATION CENTERS AND HE ORDERED HIS CREW TO BAIL OUT. HE THEN SUCCESSFULLY GUIDED HIS AIRCRAFT BEYOND THE CITIES AND CRASHED IN A ROCKY FIELD THUS SAVING THE RESIDENTS OF THE TOWNS.