Darrell Cole, from Park Hills, Missouri, joined the United States Marine Corps in August 1941. Assigned to the 1st Marine Division, Cole landed on Guadalcanal August 7, 1942. He returned to home in 1943, and was assigned to the 4th Marine Division, participating in the battles for Kwajalein, Saipan, and Tinian. Later in 1944, he also fought in the Mariana and Palau Islands.

Originally assigned duty as a bugler, Cole had been requesting a change to machine gunner since 1941. Having performed that role many times in combat as machine gunners were killed in action, he finally achieved his goal after the Marianas campaign. On February 19, 1945, Cole, promoted to Sergeant, led a machinegun section ashore in the initial assault wave landing on Iwo Jima. He bravely led his squad, fighting against Japanese gun emplacements before he was killed by an enemy grenade that same day. Sergeant Darrell Cole was 24 years old.

Medal of Honor Citation for Sergeant Darrell S. Cole

“For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as leader of a Machinegun Section of Company B, 1st Battalion, 23d Marines, 4th Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces during the assault on Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands, 19 February 1945. Assailed by a tremendous volume of small-arms, mortar and artillery fire as he advanced with 1 squad of his section in the initial assault wave, Sgt. Cole boldly led his men up the sloping beach toward Airfield No. 1 despite the blanketing curtain of flying shrapnel and, personally destroying with hand grenades 2 hostile emplacements which menaced the progress of his unit, continued to move forward until a merciless barrage of fire emanating from 3 Japanese pillboxes halted the advance. Instantly placing his 1 remaining machinegun in action, he delivered a shattering fusillade and succeeded in silencing the nearest and most threatening emplacement before his weapon jammed and the enemy, reopening fire with knee mortars and grenades, pinned down his unit for the second time. Shrewdly gauging the tactical situation and evolving a daring plan of counterattack, Sgt. Cole, armed solely with a pistol and 1 grenade, coolly advanced alone to the hostile pillboxes. Hurling his 1 grenade at the enemy in sudden, swift attack, he quickly withdrew, returned to his own lines for additional grenades and again advanced, attacked, and withdrew. With enemy guns still active, he ran the gauntlet of slashing fire a third time to complete the total destruction of the Japanese strong point and the annihilation of the defending garrison in this final assault. Although instantly killed by an enemy grenade as he returned to his squad, Sgt. Cole had eliminated a formidable Japanese position, thereby enabling his company to storm the remaining fortifications, continue the advance, and seize the objective. By his dauntless initiative, unfaltering courage, and indomitable determination during a critical period of action, Sgt. Cole served as an inspiration to his comrades, and his stouthearted leadership in the face of almost certain death sustained and enhanced the highest tradition of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.”