World War II Honoree
Killed in World War II
Melvin E. Cole
Branch of Service
U.S. Army
Hometown
Murrysville, Pennsylvania
Honored By
Orville L. Kline
RANK: PRIVATE. HE WAS INDUCTED INTO ARMY JANUARY 25, 1944 AT GREENSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA. AFTER THE COMPLETION OF PARATROOPER TRAINING, HE SERVED IN EUROPE WITH A-COMPANY, 1ST BATTALION, 517TH REGIMENTAL COMBAT TEAM ATTACHED TO THE 82ND AIRBORNE ‘ALL-AMERICAN’ DIVISION. KILLED IN ACTION FRIDAY, JANUARY 5, 1945 WHILE FIGHTING IN THE DEFENSE OF BASTOGNE, BELGIUM DURING THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE, ARDENNES-ALSACE CAMPAIGN. HE DIED IN THE VICINITY OF LIEGE-BASTOGNE NEAR THE SALM RIVER AND WAS BURIED IN A BATTLEFIELD CEMETERY. AFTER THE CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES IN EUROPE, HIS REMAINS WERE RETURNED TO HIS FAMILY, WITH INTERMENT DECEMBER 9, 1947 IN THE GETTYSBURG NATIONAL CEMETERY, GETTYSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.