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Joseph Donald Cook

Technical Sergeant Joseph D. “Cooky” Cook was a Marine pilot assigned to VMSB-141.
He was reported missing in action following a mission to New Georgia, Solomon Islands, on 9 October 1942..

Created by potrace 1.16, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2019

Branch

Marine Corps Regular
Service Number 273952

Created by potrace 1.16, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2019

Current Status

Remains Not Recovered

Pursuit Category

The DPAA has not publicized this information.

Capsule History

Pre-War Life

Birth

February 5, 1917
at Pageton, WV

Parents

Joseph Sans Cook
Frankie Lee (Penland) Cook

Education

Gary High School
Bluefield State College

Occupation & Employer

Electrician
Page Coal & Coke Company

Service Life

Entered Service

November 11, 1939
at Baltimore, MD

Home Of Record

Pageton, WV

Next Of Kin

Wife, Mrs. Eloise Elizabeth (Smith) Cook

Military Specialty

Pilot

Primary Unit

VMSB-141

Campaigns Served

Solomon Islands / Guadalcanal

Individual Decorations

Purple Heart

Additional Service Details

Loss And Burial

Circumstances Of Loss

Joseph Cook was a “flying sergeant” – non-commissioned pilot – assigned to VMSB-141, a dive-bomber squadron that became part of Guadalcanal’s “Cactus Air Force” in 1942. He arrived at Henderson Field on 30 September 1942 and was soon flying scouting missions, often with Staff Sergeant William T. Campbell as radioman and gunner.

On 9 October 1942, Cook and Campbell took off for an early-morning strike against Japanese warships known to be operating in the New Georgia area. At 0655, the Americans spotted their targets through the morning haze and pushed over into a dive. The Japanese ships reacted quickly, turning in tight circles and throwing up heavy, accurate gunfire. Nine bombers dropped seven bombs, scoring several near misses and a few “probable” hits.

Witnesses reported seeing one SBD hit in the attack; the bomber managed to release its missile, which may have struck a cruiser. The Dauntless (SBD-3 #03257) failed to return to Henderson Field, and the crew – Sergeants Cook and Campbell – were listed as missing in action. Nothing more was ever heard of plane or crew, and they were ultimately declared dead on 19 February 1945.

Excerpt from the War Diary of MAG-23. Note that the War Diary gives the date of 9 October rather than 8 October
Note: While USMC casualty reports have Cook and Campbell missing on 8 October 1942
multiple war diaries give detailed descriptions of their final mission on 9 October.
Burial Information or Disposition

None; aircraft shot down at sea.

Next Of Kin Address

Wartime address of wife, Mrs. Eloise Cook.

Location Of Loss

Cook and Campbell were shot down about ten miles north of New Georgia.

Related Profiles

VMSB-141 personnel non-recovered from the Guadalcanal area.
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0 thoughts on “Joseph D. Cook”

  1. This is my uncle and I am very proud of his service to our country!! This was an awesome article…thank you!

  2. Marjorie Dean Martorella

    My grandmother, Frankie Lee Cook, never accepted that my Uncle Don (Joseph Donald Cook) would not someday be found. She would say “Don isn’t dead. He’s just away” or “Don didn’t come home from the war, but he’s still with us.” His family loved him and always remembered him and talked about him, so those of us in the next generation grew up hearing about him. My mother Mary, Don’s sister, is the Mrs. Russel Dean listed in the obit. I’m so grateful that my brother David found out about this website, and that you published this information about Don and the others who did not come home. Thank you.

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