About
World War II (1939-1945)
Charles Walton Cole was born in Schenectady, New York, on July 12, 1925. He attended Central Park Junior High and Lincoln Elementary while growing up on Frank Street in the city of Schenectady. After graduating from Mont Pleasant High School in June 1943, he started working for the Maqua Printing Company.
On September 9, 1943, Charles enlisted in the United States Army. He underwent his military training at Camp Blanding, Florida and Fort Ord, California. He was a private first class serving with Company G, 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. Charles was sent overseas in March 1944, where he took part in three major battles in the Philippine Islands. It was during the Battle of Mindanao (Min-duh-nau), on May 6, 1945, that he was killed in action. He was only 19 years old. Charles is buried in the Evergreen Memorial Park, Colonie, New York.
Sources: The Schenectady Gazette, Find A Grave, Ancestry
