Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant (j.g.)

Unit:

Bombing Squadron 20 (VB-20), U.S.S. Enterprise (CV-6) (Bombing Squadron 20 (VB-20), U.S.S. Enterprise (CV-6))

Awarded on:

May 1945

Citation:
"For extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier- based Navy Dive Bomber in Bombing Squadron TWENTY (VB-20), embarked from the U.S.S. ENTERPRISE (CV-6), during action against units of the Japanese Fleet in waters west of the Central Philippine Islands during the Battle for Leyte Gulf on 24 October 1944. Flying as wingman on a search and attack mission when an enemy task force was sighted and his division was assigned the Japanese battleship MUSASHI as a target, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Cook defied the withering barrages of antiaircraft fire to dive low over the hostile warship and release his bombs at perilously low altitude to score direct hits which started fires and contributed materially to the infliction of extensive damage on the Japanese vessel. His superb airmanship, inspiring courage and unwavering devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Cook and the United States Naval Service."

Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 338 (May 1945).