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..
Branch
Marine Corps Regular
Service Number 273952
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.
Note: While USMC casualty reports have Cook and Campbell missing on 8 October 1942multiple war diaries give detailed descriptions of their final mission on 9 October.
Burial Information or Disposition
None; aircraft shot down at sea.
Memorials
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.
I wonder if his wife ever recovered from her loss…
This is my uncle and I am very proud of his service to our country!! This was an awesome article…thank you!
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.