SGT US ARMY - WORLD WAR II

Thanks to MitchRyder for the following bio:

Nathaniel T. "Nat" Cobb, 90, formerly of Waterville, peacefully passed Dec. 4, 2013, at the Maine Veterans' Nursing Home in Augusta and is now with his loving wife and the Lord in Heaven. He was born in Sangerville on March 13, 1923, a son of the late Freeman N. and Margaret (Myshrall) Cobb.

Nat attended Dexter schools, was a graduate of Thomas College receiving degrees in accounting and business administration, and graduated from the American Legion College in Indianapolis, Ind., in 1954. In 1942 he married Madeline Knowles and together they raised five children. He worked as the business manager for the Guy Gannett Publishing Co. DBA Central Maine Morning Sentinel for 39 years, retiring in 1986.

Nat began his life-long career of service on Feb. 1, 1943, when he entered the army during World War II, serving his country until Nov. 14, 1945, when he was honorably discharged at the rank of sergeant. He was part of the South West Pacific Campaigns, New Guinea, Archipelago Bismarck, Philippines, Leyte and Luzon, and received Asiatic Pacific Campaign Ribbon four Battle Stars, Bronze Arrow, Philippine Liberation Ribbon two Battle Stars, Presidential Unit Citation, Good Conduct and Victory Medals.

Nat was a member of the Parish of the Holy Spirit, Sacred Heart, Waterville, serving as a liturgical minister and lay minister of the Holy Eucharist and served as a the president of the Sacred Heart Parish Council. He was also invited as to read Holy Scripture at the National Memorial Service in 1985 which was held in Salt Lake City, Utah, while he was serving as department chaplain of the American Legion.

Nat served the state of Maine and the City of Waterville in may capacities over the years, including being a charter member of the Administrative Society in Portland where he received the highest award of "Diamond Merit," was a Charter Member YMCA Industrial Management Club and served on the Executive Board of the Waterville Area, served on the City of Waterville Public Safety Board, served as chairman of the first Board of Commissioners, Waterville Housing Authority and was a member of the first Board of Directors, Seton Village which was appointed by Bishop O'Leary of the Catholic Diocese of Maine. He also was a past president of the Waterville Osteopathic Hospital (Inland), chairman of the Salvation Army Board and was a board member for 20 years, served on the United Way Board of Directors on the Budget Committee, as the chairman of Business Division, as chairman of the Industrial Employee Division and as a campaign director and was an original Member of the Vocational Education Advisory Board.

Nat was a life member of the Elks Lodge 905, Waterville, past president of the Waterville Kiwanis Club, 70-year member of the Bourque-Lannigan American Legion Post No. 5 in Waterville serving many roles as Adjutant from 1948 to 1949, commander from 1953 to 1954, post finance officer in the late 1950's and was the editor of the newsletter for 10 years.

He was also a member of the Disabled American Veterans and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Nat was an officer for the Department of Finance from 1954 to 1964, department adjutant from 1963 to 1966 and 1986 to 1989, was elected honorary past commander in 1985, was the editor of the Maine Legionnaire from 1961 to 1966 and 1986 to 1989 receiving first place in the Nation in 1987 and 1988 and also served as the department chairman of the Citizens Flag Alliance Committee. Additionally he was appointed national vice chairman of the Merchant Marine Commission, was the legislative liaison for U.S. Senators Margaret Chase Smith and George Mitchell, was on the American Legion Trust Committee for six years and was a member of the Ye Steivos, Honor Society of Past Departments Adjutants and Past Department Commanders Club.

Nat worked for many Maine governors, serving Gov. Longley as the chairman of the Veterans Small Business Loan Authority, Gov. Curtis on the Board of Directors for the Maine Veterans Homes, Gov. McKernan on the Maine Veterans Loan authority Board, Gov. King as his personal representative, developing a master plan for a New Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Governor Reed as a founder of the Maine Veterans' Cemetery and was the author of the book "History of Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery," donating all proceeds to the Maine Veterans' Memorial Cemetery.

Nat is survived by his sons, David N. Cobb, Gary J. Cobb and Leonard F. Cobb; and daughters Nancy Ann Fecteau and Susan M. Cobb; seven grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his loving wife, Madeline; and his brothers and sisters.

A celebration of his life will be from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2013, at Veilleux Funeral Home 8 Elm St., Waterville, with a service to be held by the Bourque-Lanniagn American Legion Post 5 at 3 p.m.

A full military funeral and committal services will be held on Tuesday, May 6, 2014 at Sacred Heart Church and the Maine Veterans' Memorial Cemetery.