Roger Elzear Cote was born on November 21, 1922, in Manchester, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire. He was the son of Elzear Louis Cote and Marie C. Provencher Cote.
He resided in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, prior to the war. He enlisted in the Army on November 9, 1942, in Manchester, New Hampshire. He was noted as being employed as an Office Clerk and also as a Single, without dependents.
Roger served as a First Sergeant, Headquarters Detachment, Jedburgh Team "Augustus", Office of Strategic Service, U.S. Army during World War II.
The Jedburgh Team was a special forces operation carried out by the Allies during WWII, which aimed to coordinate the action of the French Resistance with the general plans of the Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Forces (SHAEF) and to provide weapons and training to the Resistance.
On August 30, 1944, he was killed by tanks, together with his two teammates, in Barenton-sur-Serre, France. He is now buried in the Epinal American Cemetery, Dinozé, France.
He was awarded the "Distinguished Service Cross" and the Purple Heart.
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Distinguished Service Cross:
First Sergeant Roger E. Cote (ASN: 11084219), United States Army, was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Headquarters, Office of Strategic Services, in action against enemy forces from 15 through 30 August 1944, in France. First Sergeant Cote's intrepid actions, personal bravery, and zealous devotion to duty at the cost of his life exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
General Orders: Headquarters, European Theater of Operations, U.S. Army, General Orders No. 61 (1945)
Action Date: August 15 - 30, 1944
Service: Army
Rank: First Sergeant
Company: Headquarters
Division: Office of Strategic Services
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