Foil: 1 Panel: 2 Column: 2 Line: 59

Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:
Mr. Golden C. Cole

Col. Harry L. Cole, Sr. USAF, Ret. 8 August 1889 - 27 May 1971
During WWI trained as Observer in the Army Signal Corps, then reassigned to flight training and received his commission and wings at Mather Field, Sacramento, California, in early 1918. Following the Armistice he remained active in the Reserves and flew regularly during summer camps maintaining his flying status. Harry Cole was also active in the Reserve Officers Association and the American Legion until the summer of 1941 when he was called to active duty as a Captain and assigned as Commanding Officer at Person Field, Vancouver, WA. He was in that assignment on 7 December, 1941.
Shortly after war was declared, Harry Cole was promoted to Major and served in assignments at March Field, California and Pendleton, Oregon. In the fall of 1942 he was assigned to the 34th Air Depot Group as Executive Officer at Victorville, California. This group participated in the invasion of North Africa, and subsequently went into Sicily and Italy. During which time he was promoted to Lt. Colonel. While in Italy, he was promoted to full Colonel and appointed Commanding Officer of the 34th ADG. During action just north of Pisa, Italy he was wounded and received the Purple Heart. After the surrender of Germany he was assigned to the Judge Advocate Corp. in Nuremburg, Germany, returning to civilian life in February, 1947.