Missing information?

Do you have any additional information you would like to share about a soldier?

Submit

Personal info

Full name
COLE, Wendell Eugene
Date of birth
25 August 1924
Age
20
Place of birth
Spartanburg, Spartanburg County, South Carolina
Hometown
Spartanburg County, South Carolina

Military service

Service number
34651779
Rank
Staff Sergeant
Function
Nose Gunner
Unit
848th Bombardment Squadron,
490th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
5 November 1944
Place of death
Loitzingstrasse 2
Mannheim, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
Plot Row Grave
D 35 21

Immediate family

Members
Boyce E. Cole (father)
Ruby (Alman) Cole (mother)
Jenille A. Cole (sister)

Plane data

Serial number
43-37884
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: Pensey Belle
Destination: Ludwigshafen, Germany
MACR: 10325

More information

S/Sgt Wendell E. Cole attended Wofford College.
The B17 was hit by wreckage from another B17. One parachute was seen opening from the aircraft before it disappeared from sight.

Source of information: Michel Beckers, Hannah Majewski, Terry Hirsch, WWII Draft Card

Photo source: Michel Beckers, The Columbia record - 5 October 1944, Wofford College 1943