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USS COLE (DD-155 / AG-116)


Flag Hoist/Radio Call Sign - NEST

CLASS - WICKES As Built.
Displacement 1,154 Tons, Dimensions, 314' 5" (oa) x 31' 8" x 9' 10" (Max)
Armament 4 x 4"/50, 2 x 1pdr AA (1 x 3"/23AA In Some Ships), 12 x 21" tt..
Machinery, 26,000 SHP; Parsons Design Turbines, 2 screws
Speed, 35 Knots, Crew 103.
Operational and Building Data
Laid down by Cramp, Philadelphia on June 25 1918.
Launched January 11 1919 and commissioned June 19 1919.
Decommissioned July 10 1922.
Recommissioned May 1 1930, decommissioned January 27 1937.
Recommissioned October 16 1939 and assigned to Neutrality Patrol.
Reclassified Auxiliary AG-116 June 30 1945.
Decommissioned November 1 1945.
Stricken November 16 1945.
Fate Sold October 6 1947 and broken up for scrap.

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Cole 169kEdward Ball Cole was born 23 September 1879 in Boston, Mass. One of the country's leading experts on machineguns, he received a direct commission in the Marine Corps in World War I. Major Cole received the Navy Cross and Army Distinguished Service Cross for heroism during the Battle of Belleau Wood (10 June 1918) in which he was mortally wounded. He died 18 June 1918 and is buried at Mouroux Cemetery, France. His decorations included the Navy Cross, the Distinguished Service Cross; as well as the French Légion d'Honneur and the Croix de Guerre. Cole's Navy Cross citation reads: "In the Bois de Belleau, France, in June 10, 1918, his unusual heroism in leading his company under heavy fire enabled it to fight with exceptional effectiveness. He personally worked fearlessly until he was mortally wounded". His Distinguished Service Cross citation reads: "In the Bois de Belleau, on June 10th 1918, displayed extraordinary heroism in organizing positions, rallying his men and disposing of his guns, continuing to expose himself fearlessly until he fell. He suffered the loss of his right hand and received wounds in upper arm and both thighs.” Photo courtesy of the Library of CongressRobert M. Cieri/Bill Gonyo
THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
WASHINGTON

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION to the

UNITED STATES SHIP COLE
for service as set forth in the following

Citation:
"For outstanding performance as guide for the first wave of landing boats in the attack on Safi, French Morocco, November 8, 1942. Under crossfire from enemy coast defense batteries and machine gun emplacements, the COLE, proceeding through a narrow harbor entrance in total darkness, effectively countered hostile opposition, disembarked a company of U. S. Army assault troops, and supported their attack by accurate fire from her main battery. Her distinctive fulfillment of a difficult and hazardous mission contributed materially to the victorious achievement of the Southern Attack Group.”

For the President,
Frank Knox
Secretary of the Navy
Cole 54kUndated, seen here in her final configuration, note addition of AA guns forward of the after deck house.-
Cole 128kUndated, location unknown. Photo from the collection of the Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum.Darryl Baker
Cole 191kUndated at what appears to be Philadelphia Navy Yard with a cruiser in the background. Photo from the collection of the Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum.Darryl Baker
Cole 180kUndated, location unknown. Photo from the collection of the Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum.Darryl Baker
Cole 216kUndated, New York.Ed Zajkowski
Cole 177kUndated newspaper clipping.Bob Houston
Cole 118kUndated, probably in the Mediterranean circa 1920. The French cruiser in the background is either WALDECK-ROSSEAU or EDGAR QUINET.Dave Wright
Cole 308kCirca 1929-1931, USS Arizona (BB-39) undergoing modernization at Norfolk. The destroyer Cole (DD-155) is in the background. Library Of Congress Photo # 5558022850?_2a7dc78c0?5_o, courtesy of David Valenzuela's Battleship Arizona Book Pics via flickr.com.Mike Mohl
Cole 119kUSS Cole (DD-155), At Tampa, Florida on 10 November 1931. Collection of Rear Admiral Bradford Bartlett, 1979. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph. Photo #: NH 90497.Robert Hurst
Cole 123kUSS Langley (CV-1) Stacks down, flight quarters, South Pacific, probably in the mid-1930s. USS Cole (DD-155) in the foreground. From the collection of Preston E. Cloud.Chuck White
Cole 87k1936, location unknown.Bob Houston
Cole 71kCirca late 1930's.Marc Piché
Cole 99kCirca 1943-44, Seen here as modified for troop transport.-
Cole 133kCole as refitted with her mast removed to make a port assault at Safi, Morocco on 8 November 1942. She successfully landed 197 Army troops from HQ Company and Company L, 47th Infantry Division there. Here she is offshore alongside USS Philadelphia (CL-41). This photo was likely taken 11 November, when the cruiser approached closer from her offshore screening position off Safi.
LIFE Magazine archives, original photographer Eliot Elisofon. For educational and non-commercial use.
John Chiquoine
Cole   Cole   Cole   Cole
Cole   Cole   Cole
Charleston, SC, May 1 1943
Mike Mohl

USS COLE DD-155 / AG-116 History
View This Vessels DANFS History Entry
(Located On The hazegray Web Site, This Is The Main Archive For The DANFS Online Project.)

Commanding Officers
Thanks to Wolfgang Hechler & Ron Reeves


CDR Isaac Foote Dortch    Jun 19 1919 - Jul 10 1922

(Decommissioned July 10 1922 - May 1 1930)

LCDR Harry Paul Curley    May 1 1930 - Aug 8 1931

LCDR Benjamin Osborne Wells    Aug 8 1931 - Sep 1934

LCDR Ion Purcell    Sep 1934 - Jan 27 1937 (Later RADM)

(Decommissioned January 27 1937 - October 16 1939)

LCDR Paul Fleming Dugan    Oct 16 1939 - 1940

LCDR Charles William Moses    1940 - 1941

LCDR Walter Leo Dyer    1941 - Jun 30 1942 (Later RADM)

CDR George Goldston Palmer    Jun 30 1942 - Jan 13 1943 (Later RADM)

LCDR Joseph Francis Witherow Jr.    Jan 13 1943 - May 10 1943 

LCDR Briscoe Chipman    May 10 1943 - Jan 25 1944

LCDR Freeman Donald Miller    Jan 25 1944 - 

LT John R. Stewart    Oct 21 1944 - Nov 1 1945 


Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
Tin Can Sailors Website
Destroyer History Foundation
Destroyers Online Website
Official U.S.Navy Destroyer Website

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This page was created by Fred Willishaw (ex ARG-4, AS-11 & DD-692) and is maintained by David L. Wright
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Last Updated 21 December 2017