The Days of a Hero: Then and Now
On July 9, 2024, the French came to Brevard to honor a liberator, repeating history. In the desperate days of the American Revolution, a Frenchman came to our aid: the Marquis de Lafayette. Then in World War One, Americans went to the aid of France. When American General John Pershing reached Paris and went to Lafayette’s grave, his aide said, “Lafayette, we are here.” Last month, French Consul Anne-Laure Desjonquères came here to honor a liberator of her country, Lt. Col. Edwin Cottrell.
In September 1944, Ed Cottrell set foot on French soil, fresh from 18 months of stateside pilot training. Flying his P-47 fighter plane from Cambrai field just north of Paris, in mere days he would be plunged into combat as his squadron provided close air support for Allied troops battling their way from Normandy to Berlin in the wake of D-Day. Over the final eight months of the war, Ed would strap himself in and take off on 65 missions to strafe and divebomb, often from ever-moving advance airfields improvised in muddy farmland. He would lose close friends who did the same but failed to return. He would nearly suffer such a fate himself when he just barely limped back to base with a half-destroyed engine. As they advanced, the squadron would find abandoned or partially destroyed buildings near their airfields to bunk in. Although they flew into battle in formations, each pilot had to face its terrors very much alone.
Lt. Col. Edwin Cottrell
On July 9, 2024, closing on 80 years since these battle missions, the Veterans History Museum of the Carolinas hosted an event to honor Ed for that service, and recall its stories and why they mattered so much. For much of his life, Ed kept those stories to himself, until the very subject came up at a squadron reunion a couple of decades past. Ed and his squadron mates decided their reticence was starving a younger generations of things they needed to know, including a grasp of what made us a nation, and the price that freedom might demand. Since then Ed has become a hero of a different sort, sharing his story whenever asked, reaching out to veterans and students, making five trips to Europe in recent years to participate in ceremonies and remembrances, and above all to make friends and serve as an inspiration in ways that only he can. The abundance of those friends and the scope of that inspiration were very much in evidence at this July’s event.
The French Legion of Honor
The centerpiece of the afternoon was the induction of Lt. Col. Edwin Cottrell into the French National Order of the Legion of Honor, as a distinguished Chevalier, or Knight, in a medal pinning ceremony conducted by French Consul General Anne-Laure Desjonquères from Atlanta, acting on behalf of French President Emmanuel Macron. She described the honor as intended “to pay tribute to a war hero who helped liberate my country and Europe from tyranny.” Placing Ed’s service and today’s recognition in context, she stated, “Today we remember that our two countries owe each other their very existence as free nations. For more than two centuries across the Atlantic from one shore to the other, from one generation to the next, France and the United States of America have always stood shoulder to shoulder to defend the values of freedom and democracy. … Mr. Cottrell, you embody this shared French American history, you illustrated with your courage the friendship and shared values so profoundly binding our two nations, you are a true hero. Your example gives us inspiration for the future and your legacy provides a moral compass for the generations to come.”
Ed invited his daughters Carol and Sue to stand with him and then thanked the Consul and “all the French people for giving me this distinguished honor”. On receiving the medal he asked that he might dedicate it to several others: first to his father and father-in-law, both WWI veterans; secondly, to his squadron mates Art Sommers and Ted Smith who gave their lives in the war; thirdly, to the men and women actively serving abroad to keep this country free; and finally, to Millie, his beloved wife for 76 years.
Ed then presented Consul Desjonquères with two special items for display at the Atlanta consulate. First a U.S. Army Air Force medallion with a picture of a P-47 on the back. Secondly, a framed copy of the Valor Studios print showing Ed flying his badly damaged P-47 fighter escorted by two German fighter planes who amazingly chose to see him safely out of enemy territory.
The Circle of Friends
The afternoon’s ceremony was held at Grace Brevard Church before a standing-room-only crowd of at least 130, including several people traveling long distances to be present, and featured several speakers before the main event. Host Michael McCarthy welcomed everyone, acknowledged all the veterans present, and introduced the first speaker, Col. Larry Chapman, USMC, Ret., and current Transylvania County Commissioner. Col. Chapman welcomed the Consul General. He also recognized North Carolina State representative Mike Clampitt. Col. Chapman spoke about French support during the American revolution and thereafter, and about the millions of American soldiers who, like Ed, crossed the Atlantic to lift the yoke of oppression from the French nation in WWII.
Col. Richard Bennett, US Army, Ret., and currently Chaplain, Transylvania County Honor Guard, offered the invocation as the crowd stood. In part, he noted that, “This ceremony … can move our nations and their people to more fully appreciate each other. We see your hand in this opportunity for understanding and fellowship that brings us closer together. We ask you to help us to better understand others and to use every opportunity to increase the peace in the world.”
While the audience remained standing, both the French and American national anthems were played.
Ed’s two daughters, Carol and Sue, were both in attendance and Sue graciously shared some thoughts about her father, saying, “He can best be described as someone who is only happy when he is active. He thrives on interacting with others and forming new, meaningful relationships with deep bonds that last and deepen with time. These friends have developed into an influential and beloved extended family for him.” As examples, Sue described Ed’s long career in education, athletics, and golf, and how the friendships formed over many years with students and fellow teachers continue and result in memorable get-togethers.”
A recent example of Ed’s ever-growing circle of friends started right here at the Veterans History Museum when Ed met Marine Corp veteran and author Andy Biggio who had been invited to speak at the museum. Shortly thereafter Andy invited Ed and Sue to join him and other veterans on a trip back to Normandy. As Sue says, it took Ed “about two seconds to say yes for both of us to go. The friendships that developed on that first trip lasted and grew as we made four more European trips and numerous stateside excursions. … Over the last three years he’s been a guest at the World War 2 Museum, New Orleans, and attended multiple conferences and conventions where he was often a speaker.” In closing, Sue urged anyone with family members who are veterans to “give them an opportunity to share their experiences with you. They all have different stories, but they all share one thing in common: the hope that the contributions and sacrifices they have made to ensure our freedom are not forgotten.”
The Many Careers of Ed Cottrell
Janis Allen, museum Communications Director, and author, recapped highlights from Ed’s professional life after his WWII service. After the war, Ed joined the Air Force reserves. The former Army Air Force had become a separate service and opened the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. Ed became a recruiting ambassador for the Academy to high schools all over America. He served in the reserves for 28 years.
In Pennsylvania Ed had quite a career in education and athletics. He was Director of Athletics at Milton Hershey School for Orphan Boys for three years. Then at Westchester State University he taught swimming and classroom subjects, while coaching tennis, golf, baseball and football. Later he taught in the Graduate School and became associate Dean, after having earned a doctorate in education from Penn State.
Ed taught golf at Duke University Golf Camp for years. Duke’s current Dean of Athletics is a former student and current friend. Ed also worked for the National Golf Foundation, started his own golf school, invented new methods for teaching golf, and conducted golf clinics in Holland, Japan and all over the United States becoming friends with many well-known golfers.
And today Ed is in demand as a speaker and consultant. According to Janis, when asked, Ed’s usual reply is “Let me get my calendar!”
Friends from Normandy
The next speaker was Staff Sergeant Russ Battiato, US Army 20th Special Forces Group. During the just concluded 80-th anniversary celebrations of the D-Day landing, Sgt. Battiato was involved in several reenactments of 101st airborne paratrooper jumps into Normandy, on one of which he was lucky enough to take the “door” (first out) position. Having become a friend and admirer of Ed during these commemorations, Sqt. Battiato drove down to Brevard from Pennsylvania along with two other members of the reenactor group, just to be present with Ed for the Legion of Honor ceremony. They were joined by a colleague and newly commissioned Major in the Army Rangers who came all the way from the west coast for the very same reason.
Speaking about the Normandy commemorations, and honoring our losses, the Sgt. reminded us, “Unfortunately, all are not here with us anymore. As long as we say their names and tell their stories, they are still with us. And it is important that each one of us have that mission.”
The Famous Pratt & Whitney Engine
The P-47 Thunderbolt fighter plane piloted by Ed on his 65 missions over occupied Europe had a single 18-cylinder Pratt & Whitney engine. On the most terrifying of his missions, enemy fire destroyed eight of those cylinders, leaving Ed’s windshield sprayed with hot oil and his plane limping along, barely able to stay aloft. But limp it did until freezing up over the airfield allowing Ed to manage a dead stick landing right at the edge of disaster. Ed has been a Pratt & Whitney fan ever since.
At today’s event one unusual item was on display, having been found by Ed’s daughter Sue: an actual Pratt & Whitney P-47 cylinder on which someone had mounted a clock.
The last speaker before the Legion of Honor ceremony was Dale Hetke from the Pratt and Whitney Corporation. Hetke is a Colonel in the US Air Force and an F-16 pilot. He stated he was here representing Jill Albertelli, President, Military Engines, who sent a letter from which he read. In part it said, “Pratt & Whitney is honored to have played a role in your story and success. And more importantly, we’re glad that the damaged engine brought you home safely.” On behalf of the company’s 43,000 employees, Dale presented Ed with a mounted Pratt & Whitney medallion.
Our WWII Veterans
After Ed had thanked the Consul General for the honor bestowed and dedicated it in turn to key persons in his life and to service men and women on active duty everywhere, he also thanked the Veterans History Museum for hosting the event, and all his friends and neighbors for attending.
Ed introduced the other four WWII veterans in attendance: Milt Fletcher, Pooch Pace, Myrl Jean Hughes and Joe Cooper, and thanked them for their service
Ed noted that the museum’s book We Shall Come Home Victorious – Stories of World War II Veterans was available for purchase and that he and the other WWII veterans would all be glad to discuss and sign their chapter in the book.
Many of the visitors spent time at a display table of photos and artifacts from Ed’s service. Also, an appealing spread of refreshments was provided. Speakers and audience lingered for a generous hour of animated conversation. Ed said it was such a great day he wasn’t even tired.