Col. Robert G. Cole Commanding Officer 3rd Batt.

Col. Robert G. Cole was born March 19,1915 in Fort Sam Houston ,Texas. Entered  the U.S. Military Academy and graduated from West Point in 1939. Bob served in the 15th Infantry prior to becoming a paratrooper officer.  In September of 1940 Cole became a member of the 1st full Airborne Battalion the 501st where he served until the 502 battalion was activated in July of 1941. Soon Bob Cole was given command of the 3rd battalion of the 502 Parachute Infantry Regiment. Col. Cole was a big rugged man who commanded with a iron hand and a loud voice, but also had a deep concern for the men he commanded. Cole was a very courageous individual and proved it on June 11,1944 when he lead a bayonet charge against German position at the Ingouf farm house in Carentan. For this action he received the Medal of Honor which he would never see. On September 18,1944 during Operation Market Garden, Cole was killed by a German sniper when he went out to place a marker panel in a field to protect his men from strafing P-47's. As his runner John Fitzgerald said " September 18,1944 was one of the darkest days for 3rd Battalion 502 Parachute Infantry Regiment.

Maj. John Stopka 3rd Battalion. EXO Normandy 1944

Major Stopka served as the executive officer of 3rd battalion until Sept 18,1944. Stopka became the battalion commander after the untimely death of Col. Robert Cole on Sept 18,1944 during Operation Market Garden. Major Stopka's time in command was short lived because he was killed around the area of Bourcy Belgium during the Battle of the Bulge by a 500 lb bomb in friendly fire incident. This took place on January 14, 1945. 

Courtesy M.Bando

Capt. Raymond T. Smith 

HQ 3rd  Batt. Company Commander. 

Capt. Smith was WIA on June 11,1944. He recovered from his wounds and returned to command F- Company during the Battle of the Bulge after its original CO ( Earl Hendricks) was taken prisoner during the fighting at  Longchamps