Brigadier General George P. Cole Jr, USAF (Retired)

General Cole was born August 8, 1944, in Boca Raton, Florida. He earned a bachelor of science degree from the U. S. Air Force Academy in 1967 and a master’s degree in military history from the University of Alabama in 1985. He also was a Massachusetts Institute of Technology Seminar XXI Fellow from 1986-1987.

He entered pilot training and earned his wings in 1968 at Williams Air Force Base, Arizona. He flew AC-47 gunships in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War.

In March 1970, he was assigned to Howard Air Force Base, Canal Zone. General Cole was selected in December 1973 for a one-year tour at Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington D.C. as part of the Air Staff Training Program. Originally assigned to the Western Hemisphere Branch in the Plans Directorate, He was selected to serve as special assistant to the deputy chief of staff, plans and operations, Air Force headquarters, from June 1974 until January 1975. After completion of B-52 combat crew training at Castle Air Force Base, California, General Cole was assigned to the 596th Bombardment Squadron, Barksdale Air Force Base, as an aircraft commander. He then became operations officer for the 62nd Bombardment Squadron in January 1978. In July 1978, General Cole was assigned to Headquarters Strategic Air Command, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, where he served as the E-4B Test Director. In March 1980, he assumed command of the 20th Bomb Squadron, Carswell Air Force Base, Texas. Next he served as Deputy Chief of Rated Officer Assignments Management Branch at the AF Personnel Center, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas. In 1982, he was assigned as Deputy Commander for Operations, Wurtsmith Air Force Base, Michigan.

After graduating from Air War College in May 1985, General Cole was assigned as Chief, Senate Liaison Office, Washington D.C. He assumed command of the 7th Bomb Wing, Carswell Air Force Base, in February 1987. In August 1988, the Secretary of Defense selected General Cole to serve as Executive Secretary of the Department of Defense. In this capacity, he worked directly for Secretaries Carlucci and Cheney during the Reagan and George H.W. Bush administrations.

Finally, he assumed command of the 2nd Bomb Wing, Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, in April 1992 and retired to Bossier City in September 1994. In his final B-52 flight, he led a two-ship formation on a record-setting, around-the-world, non-stop mission dropping live ordnance on the Arabian Peninsula, traveling over 20,000 miles in 47 hours with five in-flight refueling events.The general was a command pilot with more than 3,800 flying hours in 17 different aircraft. His military awards and decorations include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit with one oak leaf cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal with six oak leaf clusters, and the Presidential Unit Award with two oak leaf clusters and “V” device.

After retiring, General Cole dedicated his professional life to serving and improving his community. He held various positions including Chairman of the Board for Northwest Louisiana Goodwill and President of STARBASE Louisiana, an educational program for fifth graders conducted at Barksdale. He also served as Chairman of AMIKids, Caddo, an educational program dealing with at-risk youth in Shreveport. General Cole was an active member of several service organizations for decades, including Rotary Club of Shreveport.

General Cole had many hobbies and interests, most notably the guitar, golf, playing trivia games and practical jokes, collecting and assembling exquisite puzzles, traveling, and challenging his grandkids to a hot game of dominoes. He was a devoted husband, father, and “Granddaddy” and was known by all as a master storyteller.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Brig Gen (ret) George Cole and Frances Cole, his brother, Lawrence Cole, and his sister, Margaret Cole. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Kay Cole, daughter, Suzy Cole-Miller, son-in-law, Steve Miller, son, George Cole, III, daughter-in-law, Becky Cole, and five grandchildren, Sydney, Tyler, Amelia, Molly, and George (IV).

Services honoring the life of General Cole will be held Saturday, May 18, 2024 beginning at 11am at Hill Crest Memorial Funeral Home. Visitation will be held prior to services from 10am until 11am. A reception will immediately follow services at Hill Crest Memorial Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the charity of your choice.