Norfolk City Virginia USGenWeb Archives Obituaries.....Cole, John April 13, 2001
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Diane Renfrow dianel14@gmail.com December 14, 2013, 1:48 pm

Virginian-Pilot, The (Norfolk, VA) - Tuesday, April 17, 2001 
John Cole, U.S. Marine Corps retiree and a highly decorated veteran, has died.

Master Sgt. Cole was a member of St. Matthews Catholic Church in Virginia Beach.
He was a lifetime member of Cape-Verdean-American Veterans Association of New
Bedford, Mass., and a lifetime member of Fort Phoenix VFW Post No. 2892 in
Fairhaven, Mass. He was a 3rd degree Knights of Columbus Council 10601, St.
Matthews, where he was warden, chancellor and outside guard. He was also a
member of ALHAMBRA.

He is survived by his son, John A. Cole of New Bedford, Mass.; a granddaughter,
Tanya C. Cole of New Bedford; a sister, Narcissus Cole Henley; five nephews,
Maurice Cole, Bernard Cole, Gregory Howard, Ricky Henley and Michael Henley;
four nieces, the Honorable Patricia Cole, Linda Cole, Deborah C. Howard and
Lynnette Henley; and two great-nieces, Robin Howard and Alexis Cole. He was
predeceased by his parents, John A. Cole and Martha Cousins Cole White; two
brothers, Joffre Cole and Henry Clay Cole; three half brothers, Jack Cole,
Wesley Cole and Leon Cole; and a half sister, Rosetta Cole.

Master Sgt. John P. Cole was entitled to wear the American Campaign Medal, the
American Defense Medal with fleet clasp, the Navy Good Conduct Medal, the
National Defense Service Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Medal, the Philippine
Liberation Medal with two Stars, the Navy Occupational Medal with two Stars, the
Victory Medal World War II, the Korean Service Medal, the Korean Unit Citation,
the United Nations Medal, and the United States Good Conduct Medal with 2 Stars.

Master Sgt. John P. Cole, a highly decorated marine, was born in Norfolk on
March 10, 1919. He attended Booker T. Washington High School. Master Sgt. Cole
enlisted in the U.S. Navy on June 6, 1935, Unit K West, Norfolk. He served on
the USS Chaumont Troop Transport Destroyer, USS Destroyers Gotf and Rathburn,
served on Light Cruiser USS Richmond. He also served on the Submarines Roger-2
and S-20. He also served aboard USS Leyte, an air craft carrier. When Pearl
Harbor was bombed, he was stationed in Bermuda aboard the Submarine Chaser
YP-61, which was working in cooperation with the British Fleet. He also served
during the invasion of the Philippines and was present at E-Day in Okinawa.

In 1948, Master Sgt. Cole transferred from the Leyte to the Marine Corps in
Boston, Mass. He served at the First Marine Corps Air Base in Cherry Point, N.C.
He also served on the West Coast at El Toro, Calif., Air Base, and in the
Helicopter Squadron in Santa Ana, Calif. He was sent overseas for two years to
serve in Korea with the First Marine Corps Air Wings. He then served in Pearl
Harbor with the FMF PAC. In 1965 Master Sgt. Cole transferred to the Fleet
Marine Corps Reserve. From Dec. 1 to June 30, 1965, he served with the Fleet
Marine Corps. On July 1, 1965, he retired. His complete tour of service is 30
years and 12 days. Master Sgt. Cole also worked for the Veterans Administration
in the Engineering Department for 23 years.

Master Sgt. John P. Cole has completed one of the most decorated and honorable
tours of service for his country, and well earned each and every one of the
above listed medals. He is a credit to his country, family, and to the Montford
Point Marines Association.

A Mass of the Resurrection will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday in St. Matthews
Catholic Church with Father Timothy Drake officiating. Burial will follow in
Calvary Cemetery . The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 7
to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home, Indian River Chapel, with a
wake service to be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday. 

Additional Comments:
Calvary Cemetery

COLE, JOHN P I3576 Section 23, Block 23, Lot 294, Space 294D 0 04/13/2001

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