George W. Cole, a native Washingtonian, yearned to fly as a young boy. He became a Cadet in the Navy V12 program in June of 1942 and realized his dream with flight instructions at Hybla Valley Field across the Potomac River from Anacostia Naval Air Station.
He earned his Navy Wings and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Marine Air Corp. For the major portion of WWII he was assigned to flight instructor duty.
Immediately upon returning home, he signed up in the Marin Corp Reserve. After graduation from Wilson Teachers College, George was a math teacher in the DC Public Schools until his squadron, VMG 321, was called to active duty in Korea. Captain Cole flew 103 Close Air Support and Interdiction Strike missions; earning The Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal and Gold Stars in lieu of a second and fifth Air Medal.
Captain Cole was killed while testing a repaired Corsair, just days before he was to be sent home from Korea. His widow Jean and his son Michael survive him.