For this extraordinary gallantry, Cole was recommended for the Medal of Honor.

Tragically, he was killed in action by a sniper on September 18, 1944, during Operation Market Garden in the Netherlands. He was 29 years old.

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Cole received his Medal of Honor posthumously. He is buried at the Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten.

His bayonet charge remains one of the most legendary acts of the 101st Airborne in Normandy…a testament to courage & leadership.

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82 years ago today, the 101st advanced on Carentan to link Utah & Omaha beaches. Cole’s battalion was pinned down by heavy German fire from fortified positions near Ingouf Farm.

For over an hour, intense machine gun, mortar, and artillery fire inflicted heavy casualties.

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Observing the situation, Cole ordered a rare fixed-bayonet charge. He blew his whistle, rose up shouting encouragement, and led from the front with pistol in hand.

He later grabbed a fallen man’s rifle & bayonet out in the open as bullets swept the area.

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After days of fighting in Normandy, Lt Kelso Horne of the 82nd Airborne Division poses for a photograph that would eventually be on the cover of Life Magazine. 🪂

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82 years ago today, a soldier from the 4th Infantry Division moves along a road in Northern France to support advancing troops. 🪖

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In June of 1944, paratroopers of the 101st Airborne Division test enemy sniper coverage in the area surrounding Marmion Farm in Normandy. 🪖

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82 years ago today, Pfc. Fred Linden of the 2nd Infantry Division holds a young French boy following the liberation of the village of Trévières during the Battle of Normandy. 🪖

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The grave of an American paratrooper killed in action during the fighting in Normandy. 🪦

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In June of 1944, a mix of soldiers from the 4th Infantry Division & the 101st Airborne’s 327th Glider Infantry Regiment crowd aboard an LCT on their way to the Tare Green Sector of Utah Beach, Normandy. 🪖

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In June of 1944, June 9, Airborne glider pilots & other troops board an LCVP on their way from the Normandy beaches to a transport to take them back to England. 🪖

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After the war, Talbert returned to civilian life, struggled at times with drinking and distance from comrades, but later reconnected.

He attended a reunion shortly before passing from heart complications on October 10, 1982, at age 59, while fishing with his wife.

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Smith fought on through the rest of the war with Easy Company & survived, returning home to New Jersey.

Details on his later civilian life are few, but like many, he carried the bonds & scars of war.

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The Dick Winters Leadership Monument in Normandy, France. 🇺🇸

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The personal effects of Easy Company’s CO on D-Day, Lt. Thomas Meehan, that were recovered in Normandy. 🪂

Meehan and the men in his plane were all killed after their plane was hit by German anti-aircraft fire. 🪦

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Lieutenant Alexander Vraciu ranked fourth among Navy flying aces with 19 enemy planes downed during flight…the rest of his resume is just as good:

- Navy Cross ⚓️
- 3 DFC✈️
- 4 Air Medals 🎖
- Destroyed 6 Japanese dive bombers in 8 minutes 🤯

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In June of 1944, German POWs are moved by the 2nd Ranger Battalion as they are relieved by the 29th Infantry Division only days after they scaled the cliffs of Pointe du Hoc. 🪖

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82 years ago today, paratroopers of the 82nd Airborne Division move cautiously through a French churchyard in St. Marcouf, France. 🪂

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Normandy logistics will never cease to amaze 🇺🇸

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In June of 1944, soldiers of the 2nd Infantry Division march up the bluff in the Easy Red sector of Omaha Beach, Normandy. 🪖

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"Let us not mourn that such men died, but rejoice that such men lived." - General George S. Patton

American Military Cemetery in Normandy. 🇺🇸

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