Julian Cook
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For the U.S. judge, see Julian Abele Cook Jr.
| Julian Aaron Cook | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | October 7, 1916 Mount Holly, Vermont |
| Died | June 19, 1990 (aged 73) Columbia, South Carolina |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Service/branch |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 1940—1968 |
| Rank |  Colonel |
| Service number | 0-23290 |
| Unit | 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment |
| Commands held | 3rd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Cross Legion of Merit Bronze Star Medal (2) Purple Heart (3) Military William Order |
Biography[edit]
Cook was born at Mount Holly, VT on October 7, 1916. He attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, and graduated as an officer in 1940. He volunteered for the airborne forces in 1942, joining the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment (504th PIR), part of the 82nd Airborne Division, nicknamed the "All Americans".Cook made combat jumps into Sicily, Salerno, and Anzio before beginning command of the 3rd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment just prior to Operation Market Garden. The 504th PIR, due to heavy losses and a lack of airborne replacements, did not participate in the invasion of Normandy.[1]
On September 17, 1944, Cook, now a major, jumped into the Netherlands near the Maas-Waal Canal. After assisting in securing the canal crossing, his unit marched to Nijmegen. Major General Gavin, commanding the 82nd Airborne, had ordered a crossing of the Waal River during daylight hours so the Americans could outflank the German defenders, who were dug in around the city’s crucial bridges. Cook was put in charge of the crossing, was in the first wave across the river. As Cook’s first wave began their crossing, the Allied bombardment began. The wind blew away the smokescreen, leaving the men in the water open and visible to the German guns. As a devout Catholic, Cook loudly recited Hail Mary during the crossing, spurring his men on under the withering fire. He took charge of the boats, redirecting those who were disoriented and pushing the men along. Once ashore, the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment cleared the river bank. and assaulted the highway bridge.[2][3][4] Cook was subsequently awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.[5]
After Market Garden, Cook was promoted to lieutenant colonel. Cook led his battalion during the Ardennes Offensive in fights around Trois-Ponts, Cheneux[6] and Herresbach, and later on in the drive through Germany. At the end of the war he was promoted to colonel.
In 1953 Cook became American liaison officer to the French forces in French Indochina. There he became ill and spent eight months in hospitals.
He died at Columbia, SC on June 19, 1990.
Robert Redford portrayed Cook in the 1977 film A Bridge Too Far.
Honours and awards[edit]
On October 8, 1945 by Royal Decree, Cook was knighted by Queen Wilhelmina, with the rank of Knight 4th class of the Military William Order. The Order is the highest and oldest honour of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which is bestowed for "performing excellent acts of Bravery, Leadership and Loyalty in battle".[7] It is an extremely prestigious award, comparable to the French L
Courage Under Fire: Crossing the Waal River, Battle of Nijmegen ...
history.army.mil/.../141000a_underFire...
Major Julian A. Cook, commander of the 3d Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment. On September 20, 1944 the Allies renewed their attacks against ...
United States Army Center of Military History
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World War 2 Awards.com - COOK, Julian Aaron "Joe"
en.ww2awards.com/person/34368
Major Julian A. Cook, Infantry, distinguished himself on 20 September 1944 at Nijmegen, Holland. Major Cook, Commanding Officer ... Rank: Lieutenant Colonel.Operation Market Garden: 'Hail Mary' in Holland | HistoryNet
www.historynet.com/operation-market-garden-hail-mary-in-holland.htm
Jul 5, 2012 - Lounging nearby, Major Julian Cook's 3rd Battalion troopers stood up .... Infantry Regiment commander] Colonel Reuben Tucker and [British ...
History Net
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Who was Major Julian Cook? - Searching for Someone & Military ...
ww2talk.com › WW2 Talk › Research › Searching for Someone & Military Genealogy
Feb 25, 2009 - 8 posts - 4 authors
As the more knowledgeable among you know Major Cook led 3rd Battalion ... Someone seems to think he served as a Colonel in Vietnam too ;)HERE - Gallagher Clan
www.gallagherclan.org/war_hero_cousins.aspx
Julian Aaron Cook Lieutenant Colonel Commanding Officer of the third Battalion 504th Parachute Infantry began his Military career after leaving West Point ...WWII vet could land one more big honor - San Antonio Express-News
www.expressnews.com/.../WWII-vet-could-land-one-more-big-honor-4550028.php
May 26, 2013 - Julian Cook, who both that fall had made a heroic river crossing in Holland ... a retired Army Reserve lieutenant colonel who lives with his wife, ...The forgotten bridge (September 2004) | Hans Kundnani
https://hanskundnani.com/articles/bridge/
Only a single battalion of British paratroopers, under Colonel John Frost, had ... He assigned the task of crossing the river to Major Julian Cook's 3d Battalion of ...A Bridge Too Far Nijmegen Capt T Moffatt Burriss 82nd Airborne ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1EsDkm_r3o
Jun 4, 2013 - Uploaded by PublicEnquiry
CORRECTION: Major Julian Cook is played by Robert Redford ... T Moffatt Burriss has stated that he, Major ...
