World War II Honoree

Clyde Cole

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Ellijay, Georgia

Honored By

Philip Y. Tankersley

Relationship

Cousin

STAFF SERGEANT. SERVED WITH COMPANY H, 31ST REGIMENT, PHILIPPINE DIVISION WHEN WOUNDED AND CAPTURED AT BATAAN ON APRIL 9, 1942. SURVIVED THE DEATH MARCH AND ESCAPED TO CORREGIDOR WHERE HE SURRENDERED ON MAY 10, 1942. SPENT REMAINDER OF WAR IN JAPAN AS A PRISONER OF WAR WHERE HE LABORED AT A STEEL MILL IN OSAKA AND AT A COAL MINE NEAR NAGASAKI WHERE HE WITNESSED THE ATOM BOMB EXPLOSION ON AUGUST 9, 1945.