William C. Cole, hull DE-641, belonged to the Buckley class of destroyer escorts. The name honors Vice Admiral William C. Cole. Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation, at San Francisco, also called Union Iron Works, laid her down on 5 September 1943 and launched her on 29 December 1943. The Navy commissioned her on 12 May 1944. Her first commanding officer was Lieutenant Clay Harrold.
Her Pacific duty took her to Bougainville, the Admiralty Islands, Majuro, and the Marshall Islands. She was credited with 1 battle star.
Her commissioned service ended on 13 March 1948. She went to the breakers later.
