Lance Cpl. Jeffery Cole III
Company “E”, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines, RCT-1, 1st Marine Division.
August 17, 2010
Award: Silver Star
While conducting a partnered patrol in the F4 sector of Marjah, then-Lance Corporal Cole’s squad came under heavy and accurate machinegun and small arms fire from two enemy positions. The initial burst wounded four members of the squad. When another Marine was wounded and could no longer operate the M240B medium machine gun, without orders or regard for his own safety, Lance Corporal Cole took control of the machine gun and began suppressing the enemy positions with effective fire. Though shot in the left arm and despite heavy arterial bleeding, he continued engaging the enemy as a fellow Marine applied a tourniquet and pressure bandage to his arm. Despite his painful wound, he continued to provide suppressive fire until all of his wounded squad mates were moved to a covered position. He was then struck by additional enemy fire in his front small arms protective insert plate but still continued to return accurate fire with his M240B. Only after confirming that all wounded personnel were safely behind cover did he cease his fires and join the remainder of the squad. His actions directly enabled his fellow squad members to maneuver the wounded personnel to safety. By his extraordinary guidance, zealous initiative, and total dedication to duty, Lance Corporal Cole reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
Semper Fi. That is what the Drill instructor at boot camp drilled into you. No Boot Camp, not a real Marine.
We have several members of our MCL that never went to boot camp, but one made the Inchon Landing, and the others were in later engagements north of the DMZ in Korea.
Sounds like a Navy Cross event to me.
Jeff Cole got robbed as that was definitely a Navy Cross. He represented very well. Typical though as the Corps gives you the higher award if you don’t make it and the lesser if you do.
Semper Fi Brother from a Vietnam Marine to you.
Without regards to his own safety, even with his heavy arterial bleeding and taking on repeated fire, he made sure his five wounded comrades were secured first.
That was Navy Cross actions if not MOH.
To me, it is really odd to see the unit designation “Company E, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines,” followed by RCT-1, 1st Marine Division instead of 3d Marine Division, FMFPac. Rotating battalions to other than parent regiments and divisions had been formulated and started occurring about the time I went on recruiting duty in 1978. I could never truly understand the concept or what was to be gained by it, but I guess there are greater minds than mine and higher pay grades who decide these things.
For the first time ever, I googled LCpl Cole and watched a 39 minute interview done with him in 2012, two years after the fire fight and wounding in 2010. I would highly encourage everyone to watch that interview. You will be both comforted and inspired by dedication and humbleness of this young Marine. I was most surprised and saddened to notice that he was still a Lance Corporal upon presentation of the Silver Star two years later. What the hell is wrong with his chain of command.
Two other things impressed me by the interview. First, was how many times he refers to himself and others being hit by enemy fire and protected by their body armor. One of my toughest tasks in Vietnam in 1969 was trying to insure my Marines kept their body armor buttoned-up while we were in the bush. To this day I am convinced that it saved some of their lives. The second is by how humble LCpl Cole is about receiving the Silver Star. I quote from his interview: “I don’t think I deserve it. Nothing I did comes close to the Marines I was with. Pinned down in a ditch, wounded, they fought for an hour against an enemy that got within 30 meters. Not once did they waiver. This award isn’t my award. It’s their award and all the guys who we lost who can’t wear it now, I’ll wear it for them since they can’t.”
I’m here to say that he damn well deserves it. LCpl Cole is one lucky young man to have survived his severe injuries and live to tell the tale. He is like countless other young Marines of the past, present and future who are not or will not be rewarded fully for all that they do. I sincerely hope that your life is full of joy now, that your wounds are healed as much as possible, and that you accomplish whatever you endeavor in the future.
Semper Fi, Top Pro
We still have great Marines. The few, the proud. SemperFi.
OORAH, Marine. Hardcore,Badass and Selfless!
Tough young Marine! When the going is really tough,,, the really tough endure.
Semper Fi! Well earned and deserved! Be proud of yourself. Thank YOU for looking out for your fellow Marines, even in an injured status. Welcome home!
The only comment that is necessary, and keeping with Marine Corps tradition is OOH RAH!
SEMPER FI MARINE!
Unfortunately, more likely NOT than WILL, L/Cpl Cole will become, or has become, just another Patriotic American who returned from his War, finished his enlistment, got a job, married, raised a family as well as he could and continues day-to-day as nearly all of us did when we came back. Instead, we would be the better for it if people like Cole became the leaders of our nation in some capacity; local, state or federal. I don’t say that only because he wears the Silver Star Medal, but because it is his character and potential for good and unselfish service that we need to continue to prosper and to be FREE within our own country.
Well done LCpl Cole you make us all proud of you! True Marine ! God bless you in all that you do in life you certainly earned it! We thank you for being there when your Buds needed you. I salute you.
Semper-Fi