Cole's Bayonet Charge Memorial Monument

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The battle for Carentan was one the bloodiest of the U.S. Airborne's history. After five days of fierce combat at the edge of Carentan, Lt. Col. Robert Cole, while pinned down by intense enemy fire, searching desperately for an ultimate way to sealed the fate of the opposing German paratroops and break into Carentan, lead a desperate bayonet charge upon the enemy. The battlefield at Carentan has changed very little since 1944. Today, there stands nothing to recall one of the most decisive battles ever waged by U.S. paratroopers on French soil and the terrible losses suffered there. This is why the town of Carentan, with the support of the Centre Historique des Parachutistes du Jour-J of Saint-Côme-du-Mont (D-Day Paratroopers Historical Center), decided to create and inaugurate this monument in June 2014, during the commemorations of the 70th anniversary of the Normandy landings (D-Day).
Cole's Bayonet Charge Memorial Monument commemorating the sacrifices made during this decisive victory will stand as a symbol of a grateful region's esteem for the honored dead of the U.S. Airborne.The site selected to erect the monument is the same pastoral beauty that was witness to such violence and heroism on that day of June 11, 1944.
The plan calls for the giant four character statue to be standing in the heart of the battefield near Bridge # 4 (Silver Star Bridge), at the end of Purple Heart Lane. This is on the very land where the famous bayonet charge took place. It is also on the hearth of the Natural Park Des Marais, at the city limit of Carentan, overlooking the Ingouf farmhouse where the German paratroops set up their defensive line.

Commemorating the distinguished service of the men who have served their nation for our freedom, the statue captures a glimpse of the most significant moment of the bayonet charge extracted from Cole's Medal of Honor citation - With utter disregard for his own safety and completely ignoring the enemy fire, LTC Cole rose to his feet in front of his battalion and with drawn pistol shouted to his men to follow him in the assault. Catching up a fallen man's rifle and bayonet, he charged on and led the remnants of his battalion across the bullet-swept open ground and into the enemy position.

LTC Robert COLE, Commander 3rd Bn., 502nd, was awarded the Medal of Honor for leading the charge. Charging at Cole's right stands 1SGT Kenneth Ned SPRECHER. Ken Sprecher, 1st Sgt of "H" Co., 3rd Bn. was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism during the charge.
Charging at Cole's left stands PVT Allen Emery, a mortar man from "HQ" Company, 3rd Bn. 502nd PIR, awarded the Bronze Star for exemplary conduct in combat at Carentan.
On the ground, passing his bayoneted rifle to LTC Cole, lays Pvt. Edward R. SOWDER a paratrooper from "I" Company, 3rd Bn., 502nd PIR fataly shot through the head on June 11, 1944.
Assistance from any individual or organization desiring to help make this monument a reality is welcomed.

 

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