Cole, Richard Eugene

Individual Personnel Data
Name Cole, Richard Eugene
⇗
Rank Second Lieutenant / First Lieutenant
Serial Number O-740750
Unit Assignments
  • Assigned to the 545th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #34, effective 20 February 1944.
  • Transferred to a non-384th unit, per 545th Bomb Squadron Morning Report - 305th Bomb Group, effective 20 March 1944.
  • Assigned to the 545th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #150, effective 28 July 1944.
Duty Pilot
MOS1091 - Pilot, B-17
Last Duty Date 8 September 1944
Results Transferred
DecorationsAwarded the Purple Heart Medal for wounds received on 3 June 1944 per General Orders #95, Headquarters 1st Bomb Division dated 13 June 1944.
Awarded the Air Medal and one oak leaf cluster.
Additional Information
  • Graduated from Army Air Forces Advanced Flying School, Roswell Army Flying School, Roswell, New Mexico in March 1943. (designated For Four-Engine Assignment)
  • Richard E. Cole's Individual Sortie Report indicate he flew twelve combat missions. Six of the twelve missions were flown with other bomb groups.
  • Placed on seven days Temporary Duty to American Red Cross Club, Southport, Lancashire (a FLAK House) on 9 August 1944 per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #159 dated 9 August 1944.
  • Transferred in grade to the Casual Pool, 8th AFRD, AAF Station 594 on 8 September 1944 per Squadron Morning Report.
Photo Album:Crew Photo Album⇗
Crew Composition When Assigned to the 384th BG
Replacement Combat Crew
CREWMEMBER POSITION RESULTS
2nd Lt. Cole, Richard EugenePilotTR
1st Lt. LeTourneau, Marcel Laurent⇗Co-pilotPOW
2nd Lt. Warren, Dexter Holt⇗NavigatorKIA
Flt. Ofcr. Getty, Darrell Clark⇗BombardierPOW
S/SGT. Romano, Vincent Peter⇗Radio Operator / GunnerPOW
S/SGT. Ward, Jack Paxton⇗Engineer / Top Turret GunnerPOW
SGT. Orean, Clinton Herman⇗Ball Turret GunnerEV
SGT. Consoli, Vincent Sam⇗Tail GunnerPOW
SGT. Allen, John Rutland⇗Flexible GunnerPOW
SGT. McLain, James Wallace⇗Flexible GunnerPOW
Missions, Aircraft, Crews
This individual was credited with 6 Combat Missions.
Number Date Target Position Aircraft Mission/Sortie Information
69⇗ 2 March 1944 Target: Alfred Teves Main Works: Aircraft Parts Plant and Machine Shop
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Frankfurt am Main, Germany 		Co-pilot 42‑29688⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Ground Spare Aircraft; replaced 42‑31484.
Sortie Report⇗
72⇗ 6 March 1944 Target: Erkner Ball-Bearing Factory
Type: Bearings Industry
Location: Berlin, Germany 		Co-pilot 42‑97477⇗ Aborted Mission After Taking Off
Returned to base after group leader abandoned attempt to join assigned combat wing.
Sortie Report⇗
75⇗ 16 March 1944 Target: Aircraft Assembly & Repair Works
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany 		Co-pilot 42‑31166⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
76⇗ 18 March 1944 Target: Aircraft Assembly & Repair Works
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany 		Co-pilot 42‑31740⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
77⇗ 19 March 1944 Target: NOBALL (V-2 Storage and Launch Site)
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Wizernes, France 		Co-pilot 42‑29828⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
114⇗ 24 May 1944 Target: Unidentified Military Installations
Type: Military
Location: Berlin, Germany 		Tail Gunner 42‑97647⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Wing Lead. PFF ship and radio operator (T/Sgt L A Taylor) provided by the 305th BG, Chelveston, AAF Station 105. Col. William L Travis, 41st Bomb Wing, aboard as combat flight leader.
Sortie Report⇗
116⇗ 27 May 1944 Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Mannheim, Germany 		Co-pilot 42‑97699⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Lead Group, Wing Deputy. PFF ship provided by the 305th BG, Chelveston, AAF Station 105.
Sortie Report⇗

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