Cole, Robert Earl
Army Specialist 4

Robert Earl Cole, age 26, from Carthage, Texas, Panola county.

Service era: Vietnam
Military history: 35th Infantry Regiment

Date of death: Saturday, March 30, 1968
Death details: Bronze Star Medal citation: For meritorious service in connection with military operations against an armed, hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Specialist Four Cole distinguished himself while serving as a Rifleman and Fire Team Leader with Company A, 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry during the period August 1967 to March 1968. Throughout his service with the company, he demonstrated an exceptionally high degree of professionalism, proficiency, and dedication to duty. As a rifleman, he always performed his job in an aggressive manner. He could always be depended upon as a point man or at a listening post at night. When Specialist Four Cole became a Fire Team Leader, he continued to perform in an enthusiastic manner. He also demonstrated a great talent for supervising the men in his Fire Team. Displaying outstanding leadership abilities, he was able to maintain the complete respect and confidence of both his subordinates and his superiors. Specialist Four Cole demanded the highest performance from his men and in return gave them positive leadership of outstanding quality. On 30 March 1967, Specialist Four Cole was mortally wounded during a search and destroy operation near Polei Kleng. His outstanding achievements, personal integrity, and exemplary devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
Cemetery: Bethlehem Cemetery, Deadwood

Source: National Archives, 35th Infantry Regiment Association