Cyrus Williard Cole | |
---|---|
Born |
Marshall, Michigan |
June 21, 1876
Died | July 29, 1952 San Diego, California |
(aged 76)
Allegiance | United States of America |
Service/branch | United States Navy |
Years of service | 1899–1940 |
Rank | Rear Admiral |
Commands held |
Portsmouth Navy Yard USS West Virginia |
Battles/wars |
Spanish–American War Philippine–American War World War I |
Awards |
Navy Cross Distinguished Service Medal |
Relations | Capt. Cyrus C. Cole, USN (son) |
Cyrus Willard Cole (21 June 1876 – 29 July 1952) was a highly decorated United States Navy officer with the rank of Rear Admiral. While commandant of Portsmouth Navy Yard, Cole served as the officer in charge of the rescue and salvage operations of the sunken submarine Squalus, which accidentally sank off the Isle of Shoals while diving in testing trials on May 23, 1939.
Cole was born in Marshall, Michigan. He gained admittance to the United States Naval Academy and graduated in 1899. After two years of service aboard the protected cruiser Baltimore and the gunboat Princeton, Cole was transferred to the battleship Kearsarge. Between 1905 and 1906 Cole served with a recruiting party, and then was transferred to the battleship Ohio in April 1907. Later, in November 1909, Cole returned to Annapolis, where he taught navigation.
After about two years at Annapolis, Cole transferred to the United States Asiatic Fleet, where he commanded its Torpedo Flotilla from October 1911 until August 1914. Later he served at the United States Naval Training Station at Great Lakes, Illinois, and then served as the executive officer of the battleship Rhode Island. During World War I, Cole captained two United States Naval transports, the store ship Pastores and the troop transport President Grant. In recognition of his service, Cole was awarded the Navy Cross along with a letter of commendation.