More detail on this person: James Herman Cook VALLEY AL United States Col. James Herman Cook October 13, 1927 D December 8, 2006 VALLEY,ALD Retired Colonel James Herman Cook, 79, of Valley, AL, died Friday December 8, 2006 at his residence. Colonel Cook was born October 13, 1927 in Shawmut AL to the late James William Cook and the late Lola Siggers Cook. Colonel is preceded in death by his wife of 49 years, Minnie Brown Cook and his brother Jessie Cook. Survivors are his daughters Debra Cook Aman of Columbus; sons, James M. Cook of Grayton Beach, FL, George M. (Sharon) cook of Midland, GA; grandchildren, Melanie Aman of Columbus, Jenna Cook (Matt) Coughlin of Pensacola, FL and Lindy cook of Orlando, FL; great grandchildren, Zachary Coughlin of Pensacola, FL; sisters in-law, Jane Cook of Merritt Island, FL; brother William Hugh (Jane Cook) of Scottsboro, AL; brother-in-law, J. Gurson (Dot) Brown of Fredonia, AL. Colonel (Retired) James Herman Cook attended Shawnut public schools and graduated from Valley High School, Valley, AL. He joined the U.S. Navy and was transferred to the U.S. Coats Guard during WWII, serving until honorably discharged in June 1946. He then attended Auburn University where he participated in ROTC and earned his degree in Business Administration. He was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant for duty in the Alabama National Guard in 1950. When the guard was ordered to active duty , then Lieutenant Cook volunteered for light training. He graduated as an Army Aviator in 1952, was promoted to 1st Lieutenant and received orders for Korea. While in Korea as a 25th Div. 90th PA Bn. pilot he achieved the distinction of most hours flown with 240 combat over enemy territory and over 500 hours of flight time, flying an Army L19. Returning to Alabama National Guard as a Captain he served as the first Commander of Ft. Harold Calhoun and the Combat Support Co. of the 167th Infantry Regiment. He was recalled to active duty in 1960, and in the following years was stationed in Ft. Rucker, AL; Stuttgart, Germany; and served two tours in Vietnam. In Vietnam he served as Executive officer of the 68th Assault Helicopter Company Developments and as Assistant Chief of Staff, U.S. Army Infantry Center where he held assignments on Joint Use of Lawson Study and as Masters of Business Administration from Columbus State University and retired in 1976 as full Colonel with 26 years service. Perhaps the most unusual aspect of his military career is that he served in several branches of the military. He served in the Navy and was transferred to the Coast Guard. He served in the Alabama National Guard, and then he returned to active duty in 1950, it was to the Army where he was trained by the U.S. Air force as a pilot. Among the many awards that Colonel Cook received are the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Bronze Star for Valor (2 awards), the Air Medal (21 awards) and the Army Commendation Medal. He was understandably proud of his service to his country. In a time when some are too easily called "heroes", his family feels that this man truly earned the distinction. We were and are proud of him. He stated that he was proud also of his family that he lived a full life and survived many situations through the Grace of God and the prayers of those who loved him. He was not afraid to die, and he faced with bravery the illness that he fought. Funeral Services will be held at McCarthy Funeral Home on Tuesday December 12, 2006 at 2:00 p.m. will Dr. Jerome King officiating. Interment will follow at Oakwood Cemetery in Lannett , AL with full Military Honors. the family will greet friends Monday evening, December 11, 2006 from 6:00 to 8:0 p.m. at McCarthy Funeral Home. Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Chattahoochee Hospice, 6 Medical North, Valley, AL, 36854 or to Columbus Hospice, 7020 Moon Rd., Columbus , GA 31909.
Burial information: Oakwood Cemetery, Lannett, AL
This information was last updated 08/31/2017
Please send additions or corrections to: HQ@vhpa.org VHPA Headquarters
Return to the Helicopter Pilot DAT name list
Return to VHPA web site
Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
Copyright © 1998 - 2024 Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association