Robert Milton Cole

These awards are based on the information below and per applicable DoD Directives and Awards Manuals:
Distinguished Flying Cross Awarded to any persons who, after April 6, 1917, while serving in any capacity with the U.S. Armed Forces, distinguish themselves by heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight.
Purple Heart Medal Awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the U.S. Armed Forces, after April 5, 1917, has been wounded, killed, or who has died or may hereafter die of wounds received in action against an enemy of the United States.
Air Medal Awarded to any member of the Army Air Forces who distinguishes, or has distinguished, himself or herself by heroic or meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight. The Oak Leaf Cluster would indicate the 2nd award of the Air Medal.
American Campaign Service Medal Awarded for military service within the American Theater between December 7, 1941 and March 2, 1946. (5)Within the continental limits of the United States for an aggregate period of 1 year.
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal Awarded for military service with the Asiatic-Pacific Theater between December 7, 1941 and March 2, 1946.
World War II Victory Medal Awarded for military service between December 7, 1941 and December 31, 1946, both dates inclusive.
 Note that this list may not include all awarded medals, devices, unit citations or qualification badges.

Documents, Forms and Resources Found or Not Found:
No  ABMC Form 1, Headstone Inscription And Interment Record
No  Eyewitness Statement or Report
Yes Memorial Marker Photo(s), Find A Grave
No  Missing Air Crew Report - MACR
Yes National Archives Database, Enlistment Records
No  Photo of veteran
No  Washington Newspaper Obit, Notice, or Report
No  WWII Draft Card Data
No  WWII Hospital Admission Records

American Battle Monuments Commission Data
Robert Milton Cole
Service # O-670837
Unit 2nd Air Transport Squadron
Rank First Lieutenant U.S. Army Air Forces
Entered Service From: Washington
Date of Death: December 17, 1945
Memorialized: Walls of the Missing
 Manila American Cemetery, Philippines
Awards:
 Distinguished Flying Cross
 Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
 Purple Heart

WWII Draft Card Data
  None Found

WWII Hospital Admission Records
  None Found

Note 1: The death location, "In Southeast China" is based on the best information available at this time. In the case of 1LT Cole, this location was estimated on:

A. The American Battle Monuments Commission website identifies his assigned unit as the 2nd Air Transport Squadron.

B. At the time 1LT Cole and his crew went missing his C-46A aircraft had departed from Luliang, China on a cargo mission to Hsingching, China. The last radio contact stated they were over Ipin, China.

C. Further information on the 2nd Air Transport Squadron can be found at the cbi-history.com website, CBI Order of Battle, 2nd Air Transport Squadron, Mobile.

Anyone with additional information or a more specific location is welcomed and encouraged to submit an email to: ww2updates@withmilitaryhonors.com.

The following information on this casualty is sourced from The National Archives Database:
 Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, ca. 1938 - 1946 (Enlistment Records) - See Note 2

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