World War II Honoree

Heywood Cook

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Nashville, Georgia

Honored By

Betty Orr

Relationship

Daughter

Served as a scout, point man and expert marksman. On D-Day, June 6, 1944 he went in on the Utah Beach invasion with the 1st Army, 4th Division, 8th Infantry, L Company, 1st Platoon, 1st Squad. He was the 3rd man to step foot on Utah beach. In 1949 he was presented the Silver Star for gallantry in action at the Battle of St. Lo France, July 1944, by President Harry Truman. His other medals include the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign, European-African-Middle Easter Campaign, WWII Victory, Combat and Expert Infantryman Badges and he wore the Honorable Service Lapel Button. He assisted in the liberation of two concentration camps and was wounded five different times while serving in the Battle of Cherbourg and in battles in France, Belgium and Germany. His last battle was in Hurtgen Forest where he suffered a disabling leg injury, December 19, 1944.