Name: Gerald Vance Cole

                         Branch of Service: U.S. Navy

                         Unit:

                         Rank: S1

                         Dates of Service: 7/15/1943-4/9/1946

                         Area of Service:

Gerald V. Cole, 17, Seaman 1/c, son of Mr. and Mrs. F.A. Cole of Scottsville, has completed basic training at the Submarine School, Submarine Base, New London, Connecticut, for duty with our growing fleet of overseas fighters.

Seaman Cole will be entitled to wear the twin dolphin insignia of the submarine service after further experience aboard a submarine during which he must demonstrate to his commanding officer that he is fully qualified to carry out the duties of his rate. The insignia is regarded as a mark of distinction throughout the Navy.

Seaman Cole was graduated in June 1942 from Scottsville High School. He has been in the Navy since last July and had preliminary training at Sampson, NY.

The Submarine School, the only one of its kind in the Navy, is attended by a special group of men who must past special physical, mental, and psychological tests.

Gerald Vance Cole was born on July 15, 1943, in Mechlenburg, Virginia; he was the son of Floyd Archer Cole and Lois Elizabeth (Wynn) Cole.  After World War II, Gerald married Nancy Elizabeth Bailey, and they were the parents of one daughter.  On June 13, 1960, Gerald passed away as a young father at age of 33 years in San Francisco, California.  Gerald is buried at the San Francisco National Cemetery in San Francisco.