Cole

Richard E. Cole, 0-421602, Colonel

Co-Pilot Crew 1

Born September 7, 1915, Dayton, Ohio

Graduated from Steele High School, Dayton, Ohio and completed two years college at Ohio University. Enlisted November 22, 1940. Completed pilot training and commissioned as Second Lieutenant, July, 1941. Remained in China-Burma-India after Tokyo Raid until June 1943, and served again in the China-Burma-India Theater from October, 1943 until June, 1944. Relieved from active duty in January, 1947 but returned to active duty in August 1947. Was Operations Advisor to Venezuelan Air Force from 1959 to 1962. Peacetime service in Ohio, North Carolina and California. Rated as command pilot. Decorations include Distinguished Flying Cross with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Bronze Star Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, and Chinese Army, Navy, Air Corps Medal, Class A, 1st Grade.

On the morning of Tuesday, April 9, 2019, the last remaining Doolittle Raider, 103-year-old Lt. Col. Richard E. “Dick” Cole of Comfort, Texas took his final breath at a military hospital in San Antonio and joined his 79 other departed comrades in eternity. On April 18, the 77th anniversary of the Doolittle Raid, a memorial service was held for Col. Cole at Randolph Air Force Base near San Antonio:  Click here for article on service.  

On September 7, 2021, Col. Cole was posthumously promoted to the rank of full colonel in the United States Air Force, and his ashes were buried in the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.  Read about it here.