Cole earned honors before losing her life in Iraq
By MARSHA DORGAN
Register Staff Writer
Army Pfc. Jennifer Cole earned many honors in her short military career before her life was cut short last weekend.
The Napa resident received the National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and Army Service Ribbon, according to the Department of Defense.
On Saturday, she was shot and killed in a non-combat incident in Bayji, Iraq, that is still under investigation.
Cole was a motor transport operator with the forward support battalion unit, said Kelly Tyler, public information officer for Fort Campbell, Ky., where Cole was based.
“She drove vehicles, transporting supplies and troops,” Tyler said.
Cole, who enlisted in the Army in 2007, was assigned to E Company, 426th Forward Support Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team. She arrived at Fort Campbell in 2008 before leaving for Iraq in March.
She was due to arrive in Napa on Aug. 11 for an 18-day visit, according to her mother, Candace Gholson of Napa.
Cole was born in Vallejo. Her family later moved to Napa, where attended Silverado Middle School and Vintage High School, graduating in 1992. According to family members, Cole lived in American Canyon for several years before moving to Napa in 2005.
Before enlisting with the military, she worked at her mother’s floral shop in Vallejo. She was planning on going back into the business after completing her military duty, her mother said.
Cole’s brother, Jeffrey Cole of Menlo Park, retired from the Army last year after completing a tour of Afghanistan.
Because Cole’s death is under investigation, Army officials are not releasing any details surrounding the shooting, Tyler said.
According to Fort Campbell Web site, Cole will be honored at an Eagle Remembrance Ceremony. The ceremonies are held the second Wednesday of each month at the base.
As of Monday, the family was not sure when Cole’s body would be returned to the Napa.
Cole is the third Fort Campbell soldier to die in the past two weeks.
On Aug. 1, the day before Cole’s death, Sgt. Ryan P. Baumann of Great Mills, Ind., was killed when his vehicle was hit by a explosive device in Route Alaska, Afghanistan, according to the Department of Defense.
Like Cole, Baumann, 24, was a motor transport operator.
First Lt. Nick Dewhirst, who arrived at Fort Campbell in 2007, died on July 21 from injuries he suffered when his vehicle was attacked with a grenade in the Qalandar District of Khost Province, Afghanistan. Dewhirst, 25, was from Onalaska, Wis.
The American Canyon mayor and city council members have asked the American flags at all city offices to be flown at half mast until Friday in honor of Cole, police chief Brian Banducci said.
“The mayor and council members will also be sending their condolences to her family,” he said.
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14obama wrote on Aug 6, 2008 4:37 PM:
Now,let's make some noise for all of the others and hang the murderes. And all the killing,JUST for oil ? "
Ruff Limblog wrote on Aug 6, 2008 5:48 PM:
14obama wrote on Aug 7, 2008 1:03 PM: