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A Citizen Soldier in the Air.

Charles H. Cook's DFC

First Lieutenant Charles H. Cook, 321st Squadron, won the Distinguished Flying Cross with this citation:

"For extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight over the ocean near Wewak, New Guinea, on January 20, 1943.

This officer was the pilot of a B-24D type aircraft engaged in a search for an enemy convoy approaching New Guinea. The formation of which this aircraft was a part was attacked by twenty-five Zero fighters, and in the ensuing engagement, twelve hostile airplanes were shot down. In addition, six Zeros were badly damaged.

When one aircraft of the formation was damaged and set afire by enemy cannon and machine gun fire, Lt. Cook assumed a rear position in the formation, thus providing much needed support to the disabled airplane. Lt. Cook's courage, ability, and devotion to duty on this occasion are in accord with the finest traditions of the Service."

  

Distinguished Flying Cross

The Distinguished Flying Cross
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In another part of the book saw the fourth book that was written on the 90th BG, edited by the late Andrew M. Lord, a 90th member (and in Major Faulkner's citation), they say that this engagement lasted 55 minutes and covered a 200 mile area. It began at 1515 hours local time, and the weather was extremely clear, with excellent visibility. This report indicates that all five planes in the formation returned safely to base, with heavy damage, and it does not connect this flight at all with Jim McMurria's single-plane armed recce mission (from which he was shot down and imprisoned at Rabaul until the end of the war). It says the five pilots were Maj. Faulkner, Lt. Dowie, Lt. Cook, and Lt. Shaffer, all of the 321st, and Lt. Olsen who was attached from the 319th Squadron.

It describes the damage to one plane that was probably Cookie but was not mentioned by name or pilot: "two holes in gas tanks, hydraulic system shot, no brakes, two control cables shot away, and a hole was received through the top turret, barely missing the gunner. A total of 60 holes was found in the plane." The top turret shot is obviously the clue! The report concludes with this:

"The fact that the engagement proved that the B-24 could take a staggering amount of punishment, as well as dish it out, makes this mission one of the most important ever performed by the 321st."

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The contents of this website are copyright © 1998 - 2007 by MiGMan


The contents of this website are copyright © 1998 - 2007 by MiGMan