Arlington National Cemetery
  In Memory Marker - MI-110 

BORN:  August 09, 1934 at Brooklyn, NY

Entered Service in the US Marine Corps from Brooklyn, NY

Earned The Medal of Honor During the Vietnam War For heroism as a Prisoner of War on December 31, 1964 - December 08, 1967 at Binh Gia, Phouc Tuy Province, Vietnam

Colonel Cook was a Prisoner of War of the Viet Cong during the period from December 31, 1964 to December 8, 1967. Despite the fact that by so doing he would bring about harsher treatment for himself, he established himself as the senior prisoner, even though in actuality he was not. He unselfishly put the interests of his comrades before those of his own, giving more needy men his medicine and drug allowance. While constantly nursing them, he risked infection from contagious diseases though himself in a rapidly deteriorating state of health. His unselfish and exemplary conduct, coupled with his refusal to stray even the slightest from the Code of Conduct, earned him the deepest respect from not only his fellow prisoners, but his captors as well. Rather than negotiate for his own release or for better treatment, he steadfastly frustrated attempts by the Viet Cong to break his spirit, and passed this same resolve on to the men whose well-being he so closely associated himself. Knowing his refusals would prevent his release prior to the end of the war, and knowing his chances for survival would be small in the event of continued refusal, he chose nevertheless to adhere to a Code of Conduct far above that which could be expected.