Photo Credit: Justin Commodore at http://brent-cole.gonetoosoon.org/
CWO3 Brent S. Cole's wife Vanessa released a statement that said, "He was a loving, dedicated husband and father who adored his family to the highest degree. As a military officer, he was a consummate professional who always led by example and was revered by his peers and leaders alike. His loss is devastating to the family, Army Aviation and to our country. His family and I are proud to have had him in our lives and he will forever remain deep in our hearts."
Mrs. Cole stated that her husband was born August 12, 1970 in Morgantown, West Virginia, and graduated from West Preston High School in 1988. He then graduated from the Aviation Warrant Officer Basic Course at Fort Rucker, Alabama in 1998, and attended the AH-64 Apache Qualification Course.
38-year-old CWO3 Brent S. Cole served as an AH-64D Instructor Pilot and Safety Officer for Company C, 1st Battalion, 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB), (Task Force Wolfpack), 82nd Airborne Division out of Fort Bragg, North Carolina. CWO3 Cole had deployed three times and was awarded many commendations during that time.
Those commendations included: the Meritorious Service Medal, the Bronze Star Medal, the Air Medal with Valor, the Air Medal 2nd device, the Army Commendation Medal with four oak leaf clusters, the Joint Service Achievement Medal, the Army Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Presidential Unit Citation Award, the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, the Valorous Unit Award, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal Campaign Star, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the NCO Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Ribbon 2nd device, the NATO Medal, the Multinational Force and Observers Medal, the Combat Action Badge, the Parachutist's Badge, the Driver's Badge, and the Senior Army Aviator Badge.
Photo credit: Jeff Shaw at http://brent-cole.gonetoosoon.org/...
The magnificent Patriot Guard Riders have CWO3 Cole on their Watch List, where messages of support and sympathy are being left for the Cole family. There is a beautiful collection of photos and tributes at GoneTooSoon.org, where "his other mother" remembers:
The young man we called "son"
Brent is my children's best friend & has been throughout the past 38 years. David & Danni Davis loved Brent & Vanessa and Jack & Helen. My husband & I (Donna & Davie Davis) were blessed that he called us "his other parents". Brent would light up a room as soon as he entered. His smile was bigger than life. We have more memories about his days with us than we can put into words.
He was a devoted friend just as he was a spectacular husband, father and son. He always told his friends Chip, Dave & Jeff how much he cared for them. The four guys had a bond that very few people can achieve and maintain throughout the years.
At last meeting with Brent & Vanessa at his 20th class reunion we got to speak with them at length and will cherish those memories forever. We are so proud of Brent for his commitment to this country. He was a true soldier.
He remains in our hearts and his family in our prayers. He will rest in peace.
Warm remembrances are also being left at another on-line Guest Book, where visitors have said:
Brent was a great pilot, soldier and friend. My husband had nothing but the highest regard for him. From what I have heard, he was never without a smile.
To all of Brent's loved ones, Our hearts are so incredibly sad and our prayers are with you all. I had the pleasure of getting to know Brent and Carson through Cub Scouts, and we feel your loss.
I feel proud to have known Brent, a wonderful husband and father, and a true American hero. May you find strength in the love the two of you shared, and solice [sic] in knowing that you have so many people that care so very deeply about you.
"My backseater at his finest!"
Photo credit: Jeff Shaw at http://brent-cole.gonetoosoon.org/...
Our hearts are with all who knew and loved Chief Warrant Officer 3 Brent S. Cole. Please know that we stand beside you at this terrible time of loss.