Robert George Cole was born on March 20, 1915, in San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas. He was the son of Clarence Leroy Cole and Clara Hoff Cole. He was married to Allie Mae Wilson Cole Beall. After graduating from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1933, he enlisted in the U.S. Army the following year and entered the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1935. He graduated in 1939 and received his commission as a Second Lieutenant. Initially assigned to the 15th Infantry Regiment at Fort Lewis, Washington, Cole volunteered for airborne training in 1941 and subsequently became a paratrooper. By D-Day, he had risen to lieutenant colonel and commanded the 3rd Battalion, 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division.

Cole parachuted into Normandy with the 502nd PIR on June 6, 1944, landing behind Utah Beach and taking part in operations supporting the Allied invasion. During the advance toward Carentan, his battalion encountered intense German fire while crossing an exposed causeway near the Douve River. On June 11, after his men had been pinned down and suffered heavy casualties, Cole personally led a bayonet assault under cover of smoke. Charging at the head of his troops, first with a pistol and later with a fallen soldier's rifle and bayonet, he inspired his men to overrun the German positions. The costly but successful assault became known as "Cole's Charge" and earned him the Medal of Honor.

Cole later participated in Operation Market Garden in the Netherlands. On September 18, 1944, while his battalion was fighting near Best, he was coordinating air support and exposing himself to enemy fire while marking his unit's position for Allied aircraft when he was shot and killed by a German sniper. He never lived to receive the Medal of Honor; his widow, Allie, accepted it on his behalf at Fort Sam Houston on October 30, 1944. Cole was buried at the Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten and is commemorated by memorials in both Carentan and Best, as well as by institutions and locations in the United States named in his honor. Cole's face, as well as his uniform and equipment, are sculpted from photographic records.

Medal of Honor Citation:
For gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his own life, above and beyond the call of duty on 11 June 1944, in France. Lt. Col. Cole was personally leading his battalion in forcing the last 4 bridges on the road to Carentan when his entire unit was suddenly pinned to the ground by intense and withering enemy rifle, machinegun, mortar, and artillery fire placed upon them from well-prepared and heavily fortified positions within 150 yards [140 m] of the foremost elements. After the devastating and unceasing enemy fire had for over 1 hour prevented any move and inflicted numerous casualties, Lt. Col. Cole, observing this almost hopeless situation, courageously issued orders to assault the enemy positions with fixed bayonets. With utter disregard for his own safety and completely ignoring the enemy fire, he rose to his feet in front of his battalion and with drawn pistol shouted to his men to follow him in the assault. Catching up a fallen man's rifle and bayonet, he charged on and led the remnants of his battalion across the bullet-swept open ground and into the enemy position. His heroic and valiant action in so inspiring his men resulted in the complete establishment of our bridgehead across the Douve River. The cool fearlessness, personal bravery, and outstanding leadership displayed by Lieutenant Colonel Cole reflect great credit upon himself and are worthy of the highest praise in the military service.

Source of information: en.wikipedia.org