World War II Honoree

Scott Cole

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Bradenton, Florida

Relationship

Self

PURPLE HEART WITH OAK LEAF CLUSTER, SILVER STAR, BRONZE STAR, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN MEDAL, NAPLES-FOGGIA AND NORMANDY CAMPAIGNS, AMERICAN DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL, 2 OVERSEAS SERVICE BARS, COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, GLIDER TROOP BADGE, DISTINGUISHED UNIT BADGE. CITATION FOR GALLANTRY IN ACTION ON JULY 5, 1944 NEAR LA HAYNE DU PUITS, FRANCE. WHEN TWO ASSAULT COMPANIES FROM HIS BATTALION WERE PINNED DOWN BY HEAVY ENEMY FIRE, HE WENT FORWARD TO DISCOVER WHAT WAS DELAYING THE ATTACK. HE FOUND A DUG-IN ENEMY MACHINE GUN POSITION AND REALIZED THAT FURTHER DELAY WOULD BE COSTLY. INSTEAD OF RETURNING FOR HELP, HE ATTEMPTED TO WIPE OUT THE HOSTILE POSITION ALONE AND STOOD UP IN FULL VIEW OF THE FOE AND EMPTIED TWO FULL CLIPS OF AMMUNITION INTO THE GUN CREWS. HE RECEIVED GUN WOUNDS IN BOTH HANDS, BUT HIS PROMPT AND GALLANT ACTION INSPIRED THE MEN OF HIS BATTALION TO MOVE UP QUICKLY AND DRIVE THE ENEMY OUT COMPLETELY. HE EXEMPLIFIED IN THIS GALLANT ACTION THE HIGH TRADITIONS OF THE AIRBORNE FORCES OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY.