William Edward Cole – Major General, United States Army

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William Edward “King” Cole was born in Utah on 22 September 1874.

As a cadet (USMA Class of 1898), Cole and classmate Amos Fries were close friends and enjoyed the outdoors and climbing Crow’s Nest, both being from the West and remembering the mountains of home.

Cole became an Artillery officer but, although he traveled to Fort Barrancas, Florida, did not see action in Cuba or the Philippines.

After serving as Quartermaster at Fort Totted, NY from 1908-1911, Cole was in the Panama Canal Zone from 1914 to 1917 when a Coast Artillery District was being formed.

He commanded a Field Artillery regiment and a brigade in World War I and by 1918 was a Brigadier General, receiving the Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service while commanding the 351st Field Artillery from 1917-18.

From 1920-21 General Cole commanded the 30th Artillery Brigade. Cole attended the Army War College and filled a variety of staff positions as well as holding several more commands, including the harbor defenses in the Territory of Hawaii. By 1935 he was a Major General. He retired in 1938 but returned to active duty again from 1941 to 1944 during World War II.

He died 18 May 1953 following a long illness. He was 78 years old.

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COLE, WILLIAM EDWARD

  • M/GEN USA
  • DATE OF BIRTH: 09/22/1874
  • DATE OF DEATH: 05/18/1953
  • BURIED AT: SECTION 9  SITE 6006
  • ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

COLE, AGNES C WIDOW OF WILLIAM E

  • DATE OF BIRTH: 10/12/1878
  • DATE OF DEATH: 08/03/1969
  • BURIED AT: SECTION 9  SITE 6005
  • ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

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