Wallace Cole Hogan was the first Green Beret to give his life for this country in the war on terror. He was killed at the Pentagon on 9/11 and was laid to rest at Arlington overlooking the Pentagon.
Major Wallace C. Hogan Jr., 40, who went by his middle name, Cole, served with the Green Berets, the Special Forces and, ultimately, as a general’s aide at the Pentagon. Major Hogan was laid to rest with full military honors in Section 64 of Arlington National Cemetery, within the shadows of the Pentagon where he fell victim to the September 11th terrorist attack.
Cole served for 21 years in the Army. He received his commission in 1981 from Officer Candidate School and joined the Georgia Army National Guard as a Rifle and Mortar Platoon Leader. Major Hogan’s subsequent assignments provided him a broad base of troop and staff assignments. He attended the Infantry Officer Basic course and served with the 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Colorado Army National Guard, as the Detachment Executive Officer and later as the Commander.
Major Hogan attended the Special Forces Officer Qualification Course at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He then served with the 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne) and Alabama Army National Guard as a Detachment Commander. He attended the Infantry Officer Advanced Course at Fort Benning, Georgia and the Special Forces Thai Language Course at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He accepted an active duty appointment in the grade of Captain on April 4th, 1993. He served with the 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) Fort Lewis, Washington as a Battalion Operations Officer and Detachment Commander; and as the Commander, Special Forces Instructor Detachment, U.S. Army Jungle Operations Training Battalion, Fort Sherman, Panama. He joined the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans.
Major Hogan’s awards and decorations include: the Meritorious Service Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Achievement Medal with five Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Special Forces Tab, Ranger Tab, Scuba Diver Badge, Senior Parachutist Badge and Pathfinder Badge. Major General Kensinger (Cole’s supervisor) said, “Cole was an extremely dedicated officer with great attention to detail. He was a great athlete who was looking forward to commanding a Special Forces Company later this year. Cole loved the Army…” Cole was fond of using this simple quote by Colin Powell, “All my life I have always wanted to be a soldier.”
Major Hogan is survived by his wife, P. Pat Phermsangngam (Hogan), Major USAF, Alexandria, Virginia; his parents, Wallace and Jane Hogan of Macon, Georgia; and sisters, Meg Campbell and Kris Leggett.
Cole Hogan is buried at Arlington National Cemetery and overlooks the Pentagon. Learn more information about Cole Hogan at Arlington National Cemetery website.
Cole Hogan was remember on the 1st Special Forces Memorial at Ft. Lewis, Washington.
Special Forces Association Chapter 45 member Patrick Enlow served with Cole Hogan with the 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Ft. Lewis, Washington and Korea. Patrick Enlow said “He was one of the nicest guys you would ever meet and would help you any way he could. “
MAJ Cole Hogan was at the point of impact of United Flight 93 when it struck the Pentagon at 9:45 AM on September 11, 2001.
IN MEMORY OF MAJOR WALLACE COLE HOGAN, JR. -- HON. SAXBY CHAMBLISS (Extensions of Remarks - October 12, 2001) --- HON. SAXBY CHAMBLISS OF GEORGIA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Thursday, October 11, 2001
· Mr. CHAMBLISS. Mr. Speaker, today I honor Major Wallace Cole Hogan, Jr. for serving our country in the United States Army. Major Hogan grew up in Macon, Georgia, and attended Valdosta State University. After graduation, he joined the Georgia Army National Guard as a Rifle and Mortar Platoon Leader.
· Major Hogan was truly born to serve. His time with the National Guard included the 19th Special Forces Group Airborne, Commander of the Colorado Army National Guard, 20th Special Forces Group Airborne, and Alabama Army National Guard as a Detachment Commander. On April 4, 1993 Major Hogan accepted in Army active duty appointment in the grade of Captain. He was a member of the Green Berets and fought in the Persian Gulf War with the 1st Special Forces Group Airborne as a Battalion Operations officer and Detachment Commander. He also served as the Commander, Special Forces Instructor Detachment, U.S. Army Jungle Operations Training Battalion, Fort Sherman, Panama.
· Ultimately, Major Hogan arrived at the Pentagon and joined the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans in June 1999. His work at the Pentagon included Special Operations Staff Officer in the Directorate of Operations, Readiness, and Mobilization and Executive Officer for the Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans. A committed serviceman, Major Hogan dedicated his entire professional life to the United States Army.
· On September 11, terrorists claimed the lives of our friends, family and loved ones from all over this nation and the world. Major Cole Hogan was one of these loved ones. His parents are from Macon and happen to be personal friends of mine. My wife and I have two children and I can't imagine any greater pain than that which floods ones heart upon the death of a child. My prayers are with the Hogans during their most difficult time of grief.
· In our mourning, we can't help but question how such a heinous act could come to fruition on American soil. But in a time where questions are many and words are few, I want to offer my most sincere condolences to the family of Major Hogan; his wife, Air Force Major Pat Hogan of Alexandria, VA and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Wallace C. Hogan, Sr. of Macon, GA.
· In a lifetime of service that spanned half the globe, Major Hogan served from Hawaii to Panama before coming to work at the Pentagon. His outstanding accomplishments have not gone unnoticed as evident by the numerous decorations and awards earned during his service. These recognition’s include: The Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Army Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster, Army Achievement Medal with five oak leaf clusters, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Special Forces Tab, Ranger Tab, Scuba Diver Badge, Senior Parachutist Badge, and Pathfinder Badge.
· I think we have a lot to learn from Americans like Major Cole Hogan. His dedication and patriotism are unwavering and a standard we all should strive to emulate. Major Hogan will be missed, as will so many others. These lives will not be forgotten. We must honor them by living on as they lived. The lives stolen by terrorists so easily could've been our own. We owe it to the fallen to press on and take hold of all that our forefathers fought for and dreamed we would live to enjoy. As a nation, Americans have always shown strength through adversity.
· I commend Major Hogan for his service and I thank his family for raising up a man whose heart was to give his all for his country. His presence will be missed and his legacy will not be forgotten.
