Description
Really nice grouping to Corporal Arville Willburn Cole also known as “Dock” #34937073, a member of the 9th Infantry Division, 39th Infantry Regiment “The Fighting Falcons”. He was born March 21st, 1921 in Claiborne County, Tennessee. After graduating he would enlist in the U.S. Army in 1941. During the war he took part in some of the hardest combat the Germans could offer. During World War II the regiment fought as part of the 9th Infantry Division. The Fighting Falcons of the 39th became the first unit of United States combat troops to set foot on foreign soil when they stormed the beaches of Algiers in November 1942. During fighting in Sicily, Italy, the regiment came under the command of Colonel Harry A. “Paddy” Flint who gave the regiment its triple A- Bar Nothing slogan: Anything, Anywhere, Anytime – Bar Nothing. The regiment took great pride in the AAA-O slogan, displaying it on their helmets and vehicles, even in combat. After the war he would be attached to the 103rd Infantry Division for occupation duty before coming home. He lived in New Tazwell, Tennessee where he was a barber for 58 years. Dock passed away September 22nd, 2008 at his home, he was 87 years old. This group has some incredible appeal, his wrist bracelet with safe passage saying inside from his wife, the German made 103rd Infantry Division shoulder patch, both sets of DUI’s including his early set for the 39th Infantry Regiment, dog tags, other insignia, awards and ribbons, the very rare Italian made “A-A-A-O” regimental pin worn on their pockets. This pin alone is a very rare piece of insignia to find, one identified to the original soldier is very rare!
