Lloyd R. Cole collection, 1940/1946

Access and use

Location of collection:
Washington and Lee University, Leyburn Library
Special Collections and Archives
James G. Leyburn Library
Washington and Lee University
204 W. Washington Street
Lexington, VA 24450
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Tom Camden
Phone: (540) 458-8649
Phone: (540) 463-8109
Fax: (540) 463-8964
Restrictions:

The collection is open for research use.

Terms of access:

The materials from Washington and Lee University Special Collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used should be fully credited with the source.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Lloyd R. Cole Collection (WLU Coll. 0679), Special Collections and Archives, James G. Leyburn Library, Washington and Lee University, Lexington, Va.

Summary

Extent:
0.25 Linear Feet 1 half-size document box
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Lloyd R. Cole Collection (WLU Coll. 0679), Special Collections and Archives, James G. Leyburn Library, Washington and Lee University, Lexington, Va.

Background

Scope and content:

This small collection primarily contains a series of letters between various individuals and Anna C. Cole, mother of Lloyd R. Cole. Dated between 1940 and 1946, these letters largely detail the difficulties Capt. Lloyd R. Cole experienced throughout his service during World War II through his death in 1943 while prisoner of war (POW). In addition, the collection features several photographs of Capt. Lloyd R. Cole during the war, in addition to a photograph taken on his wedding day with his wife, Mary May. Of particular note, Cole's pins and Selective Service medal are included in the collection.

Biographical / historical:

Capt. Lloyd R. Cole was born in Winchester, Kentucky in 1919 and graduated from Washington and Lee University in 1940. During his tenure at Washington and Lee University, Cole was the president of Phi Delta Theta fraternity and a member of the Ring-tum Phi newspaper. Not long after graduating, Cole married and enlisted in the United States Army Air Forces. In 1942, he was assigned as pilot of "S-for-Sugar" aircraft at Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho. In October of 1942, Capt. Cole arrived in Molesworth, UK as pilot of "Memphis Tot," the last aircraft he would fly. Throughout his service, he participated in eight operations, four of which were aborted for a variety of complications. On February 4, 1943, "Memphis Tot" was shot down in Germany after the crew reported their guns did not work and attempted to turn back. Captain Cole crash landed in Waddenzee, Holland. As a result of the accident, Capt. Cole suffered a severe hip injury that would eventually result in amputation. Following the accident, he was captured as prisoner of the Germans and died of wounds in the Wilhelmina Hospital in Amsterdam. Capt. Cole was awarded an Air Medal and a Purple Heart Award for his service and is now buried in Ardennes American Cemetery in Belgium.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Indexed terms

Subjects:
World War (1939-1945)
Names:
Cole, Lloyd R., 1919-1943