Fred Watson Cole was born on February 10, 1918, in Morris Township, Texas County, Missouri. He served in the 603rd Bomber Squadron, 398th Bomb Group, Heavy, as a Staff Sergeant and Tail Gunner of B-17 #43-38147 nicknamed ''Fuddy-Duddy'' during World War II.

On November 21, 1944, the aircraft was shot down during a mission over Merseburg, Germany. Operating from Nuthampstead, England, the aircraft was heavily damaged by German fighters. Pilot 1st Lt. Charles E. Howell and co-pilot 2nd Lt. William M. Bryan kept the aircraft stable long enough for three crew members to bail out. The plane crashed near Trügleben, Germany. Seven crew members were killed, and the three survivors were taken as prisoners of war.

SSgt Cole was Killed in Action and is now buried in the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, Lemay Township, St. Louis County, Missouri, USA. Fred W. Cole's name is inscribed on the Anstey Window Memorial in Panel 3 (right), on Butterfly 24, in the top left wing (section A).

Source of information: www.americanairmuseum.com, www.398th.org