July 10, 1932 – July 11, 2021; 89 years old
Married to Donna. Six children.
Norwalk, Connecticut resident
Entered the service August 14, 1954
MOS: 31542, Special Forces Officer
Wounded on November 20, 1963 in Vietnam. Awarded the Purple Heart Medal. In addition, awarded the Bronze Star Medal, National Defense Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Air Medal, Master Parachute Badge, Combat Infantry Badge, Vietnam Service Medal, Ranger Tab, Vietnam Campaign Medal with 1960 device, Vietnam Civic Action Medal, 1st Class Vietnam Jump Wings.
Attended the U.S. Army Infantry School (USAIS) Officer Candidate School, Basic Airborne School, Ranger School, U.S. Army Special Warfare School Special Forces Officer School, 7th Special Forces Group Airborne Jumpmaster School, Special Information Course for Reserve Component Officers, Defense Language Institute English Language Center Norwegian Language Course, and the Defense Language Institute Vietnamese Course.
Member of the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame, Class of 2018.
Bio from that program:
Since retiring from the Army, David Cole has been continuously active in a wide
array of Veteran affairs and community service. His post retirement service to his
fellow Veterans and the Norwalk Community spans four decades. He has held
elected office and been appointed to municipal commissions in Norwalk, and,
without exception, has risen to chairman of all his community endeavors. He has
served as a Commissioner on the Zoning Commission, and was also elected to
the Board of Education where he was a strong advocate for various academically/
artistically talented programs. He was stalwart in protecting these programs when
they were being threatened to be cut or eliminated. His focus was always about
providing the best student learning experience for all students in the district. For
many years as a civilian, David continued his association with the 7th Special
Forces Group. He ran the Memorial Day Parade in Norwalk for 10 years as well
as serving as Chairman of the Norwalk Veterans Memorial Committee for several
terms. David was selected to be the Parade Marshal for the 350th Anniversary
Parade in Norwalk. He is a lifelong member and former Commander of the
Military Order of the Purple Heart and the 82nd Airborne Division Association
in Hartford. David also served on the Board of Education and the Zoning
Commission.
Honor Norwalk CT veterans 