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NAME Charles Warren Cole |
NICKNAME — |
SERVICE NUMBER 269595 |
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| UNIT Marine Detachment USS Arizona Gun Captain |
HOME OF RECORD Arlington, WA |
NEXT OF KIN Father, Mr. Ezra Cole |
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| DATE OF BIRTH March 5, 1920 at Arlington, WA |
ENTERED SERVICE January 3, 1939 at Seattle, WA |
DATE OF LOSS December 7, 1941 |
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| REGION Hawaiian Islands |
CAMPAIGN / AREA Pearl Harbor |
CASUALTY TYPE Killed In Action |
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| CIRCUMSTANCES OF LOSS Sergeant Charles W. Cole was a member of the Marine detachment aboard the battleship USS Arizona. His primary duty was that of gun captain, leading an all-Marine crew on on of the ship’s 5-inch guns. Sergeant Cole was likely at his post on 7 December 1941 when the ship, struck by bombs that detonated her forward magazine, sank to the bottom of Pearl Harbor. He was not seen after the attack, and was declared dead as of 7 December 1941. |
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| INDIVIDUAL DECORATIONS Purple Heart |
LAST KNOWN RANK Sergeant |
STATUS OF REMAINS Not recovered. |
MEMORIALS Grand Army of the Republic Cemetery, Snohomish, WA USS Arizona Memorial Honolulu Memorial |
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Biography:
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Comment received from L. B. Huffman
December 7, 2013
Sergeant Charles Warren Cole was honored today in a service at USS Arizona Memorial in Atchison, KS at the annual recognition of those lost Dec. 7, 1941 conducted by retired Navy Officers. A piece of the USS Arizona is in a permanent monument in Atchison.
Charles Cole died putting up the American Flag on Dec 7th. My great uncle, John Macray Baker (USS Marines, Pearl Harbor Survivor) told the the story to a group of summer graduate students in Penn in 1973 that he unlocked the weapons cabinet to Cole could put up the flag, which every ship was supposed to do at exactly 0800 hours.
Mr. Michener,
My name is Chris Jackson. I grew up with Mr. Bakers son, Jack, in San Diego in the 1960’s. We were best friends. Mr. Baker was my “hero” as was Mrs. Baker. They referred to me as their second son since Jack and I spent so much time together. My parents were great friends with them.
We left San Diego in 1964 when I was moved to Hawaii and my mother married a Navy officer and we began the annual migration between duty stations. My parents sent me to live with the Bakers over the summers when the Baker’s moved back to Coronado, Ca. (after living in Harlingen, Tx.) and when moved to Emmitsburg, Md. I spent summers with them even after Jack descended into the anti-war/drug culture. He disappeared and has never been heard from that I ever knew of.
I was inspired by Mr. Baker and Mrs. B to become a navy corpsman. I went in the navy on Dec. 7, 1971. I visited Mr. Baker one more time after enlisting before his death.
He had his medals in a nice wood framed display at the entrance way to their home.
I would be glad to share any additional information you may wish.
He was my father in many ways and he and Genevieve have remained in my heart always. My wife of 45 years and my three grown sons have heard more stories of my life with them than my own parents.
Best wishes,
Chris Jackson
San Diego
jaxzoo619@gmail.com
Sent you an email !
My family and I visited Pearl Harbour today. I am a veteran and it is something I have wanted to do for a long time. Upon arriving at the USS Arizona we went directly to the rear of the memorial where the names of the fallen soldiers are listed on a wall. As I read the names I was unexpectedly overcome with emotions. There were only a few people in the room with me and I saw another man tearing up as well. My daughters noticed my reaction and immediately came to my side. It is a moment I will never forget. Nobody spoke a word in that room. It is a very powerful and beautiful place, one you cannot describe unless you experience it. A must visit and one you will remember. As I left I turned and saluted the memorial and all the great soldiers who were part of the greatest generation our country will ever know.
I was just at the memorial in Pearl Harbor and saw Sgt Cole’s name. Thou we have the same surname I am sure we are not related, but I did get emotional when I saw his name. May he rest in peace and May his family always feel him near.