World War II Honoree
Killed in World War II
Harvey Weir Cook
Branch of Service
U.S. Army Air Force
Hometown
Wilkinson, Indiana
Honored By
Robert S. Cox
A DECORATED WWI AIR ACE, HE WAS RECALLED TO ACTIVE DUTY IN THE NATIONAL GUARD IN JANUARY, 1941. AFTER THE JAPANESE SURPRISE ATTACK ON PEARL HARBOR, HAWAII ON DECEMBER 7, 1941, HE PRESSED THE ARMY FOR A COMBAT ASSIGNMENT. PROMOTED TO THE RANK OF COLONEL IN JUNE, 1942. SERVED OVERSEAS IN THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER AND COMMANDED THE 361ST AIR FORCE BASE SQUADRON IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC AREA OF OPERATIONS. DIED FROM NON-BATTLE INJURIES ON MARCH 24, 1943 WHEN HIS P-39 'AIRACOBRA' FIGHTER AIRCRAFT SLAMMED INTO A CLOUD-COVERED MOUNTAINSIDE. AWARDED THE AIR MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL.