Gilbert Richard Cook (1889 - 1963)

Born 30 Dec 1889 in Texarkana, Miller, Arkansas, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Doris Adair (Frederick) Cook — married 1 Sep 1914 in Bexar, Texas, United States

Died 19 Sep 1963 at age 73 in La Jolla, San Diego, San Diego, California, United States

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Biography

Gilbert Cook is Notable.

Captain Gilbert Cook served in the United States Army in World War I
Service started: 6 Apr 1917
Unit(s): 58th Infantry Regiment
Service ended: 11 Nov 1918

Major General Gilbert Cook served in the United States Army in World War II
Service started: December 7, 1941
Unit(s): 21st Infantry Regiment;25th Infantry Division
Service ended: 1945

Gilbert Richard Cook is notable for his distinguished military career, particularly his leadership during World War I and World War II. Serving with valor in multiple major actions, he earned commendations, including the Silver Star with Oak-Leaf Cluster and the Croix de Guerre with Gilt Star. Cook's leadership roles ranged from commanding infantry regiments to overseeing divisions, demonstrating his strategic acumen and dedication to duty. His service extended across various locations, including combat zones in Europe and instructional posts in the United States. Cook's contributions to the military exemplify bravery, leadership, and commitment to the defense of his country.^[1][2]

Gilbert Richard Cook was born on December 30, 1889, in Texarkana, Miller County, Arkansas, to Joseph Edward Cook and May Agnes (Young) Cook. In his early years, he lived in Texarkana, Arkansas.^[3][4]

In 1910, Cook moved to Highlands, Orange County, New York, to attend the United States Military Academy at West Point.^[5] He excelled in sports, earning the Army "A" in football and baseball, and graduated from West Point in 1912. Following graduation, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant of infantry and served at Ysleta and Fort Bliss, Texas.^[6]

Between 1912 and 1915, Cook served on the Mexican border with the 18th Infantry.^[7] He married Doris Adair Frederick on September 1, 1914, in Bexar County, Texas.^[8]

Cook's military assignments took him to various locations, including the Panama Canal Zone and duty in Indiana and Missouri. In March 1918, he joined the 58th Infantry at Camp Green, North Carolina, and was deployed to France with the 4th Division in April 1918 for service in World War I.^[7]

During his time in France, Cook demonstrated exceptional leadership, commanding the Second Battalion of the Fifty-Eighth Infantry Regiment through multiple major actions. For his bravery in battle, he was awarded a Silver Star with Oak-Leaf Cluster, and the French government honored him with the Croix de Guerre with Gilt Star.^[7]

After returning to the United States in August 1919, Cook served with the 4th Division in Germany, before being assigned as an instructor at Fort Benning, Georgia, in October 1919.^[7]

Throughout the 1920s and early 1930s, Cook continued his military career with assignments in Germany, Kansas, and Georgia, including instructional roles at the Georgia School of Technology and Fort Benning.^[9][10][11]

In September 1938, Cook became an instructor at the Command and General Staff School at Fort Leavenworth. He later commanded the 21st Infantry in Hawaii during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, and served as Assistant Division Commander of the 25th Infantry Division, before being appointed the first commander of the 104th Infantry Division at Camp Adair, Oregon, in July 1942.^[7][12][13]

During World War II, Cook held various command positions, leading troops through Europe as commander of the United States Twelfth Army Corps. However, due to health issues due to a circulatory disease, he requested to be relieved of command in August 1944.^[7][14][15]

Cook retired from military service with the rank of Major General, and later passed away in September 1963 at his home in La Jolla, San Diego County, California.^[16][17] He was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Arlington County, Virginia.^[18]

Sources

1. ↑ Wikipedia contributors. Gilbert R. Cook. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. September 20, 2023, 13:57 UTC. Available at: "Gilbert Richard Cook." Accessed March 11, 2024.
2. ↑ Christ Mark K., Little Rock, Arkansas, Encyclopedia of Arkansas, Last Updated 16 Jun 2023. "Gilbert Richard Cook (1889–1963)." Accessed 10 Mar 2024.
3. ↑ U.S., Passport Applications, 1795-1925: National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Washington D.C.; NARA Series: Passport Applications, January 2, 1906 - March 31, 1925; Roll #: 1680; Volume #: Roll 1680 - Certificates: 61500-61875, 06 Jul 1921-06 Jul 1921 Ancestry Record 1174 #319332
4. ↑ 1900 United States Federal Census: Year: 1900; Census Place: Texarkana, Miller, Arkansas; Roll: 68; Page: 18; Enumeration District: 0122 Ancestry Record 7602 #20688767
5. ↑ 1910 United States Federal Census: Year: 1910; Census Place: Highlands, Orange, New York; Roll: T624_1059; Page: 1b; Enumeration District: 0020; FHL microfilm: 1375072 Ancestry Record 7884 #19609724
6. ↑ Cullum George W., Supplement, Volume VI-B, 1910-1920, Edited by Wirt Robinsion, Seeman and Peters Printers, Saginsaw, Michigan. 1920. "Biographical Register of the Officers and Graduates of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York." Accessed 10 Mar 2024.
7. ↑ ^{7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5} "Arkansan Leads the 104th; Saw Pearl Harbor Attack", Statesman Journal, Salem, Oregon, 8 Nov 1942, Sun. - Page 33. Newspapers Clip: 107835672, Accessed 10 Mar 2024.
8. ↑ Texas, U.S., Select County Marriage Records, 1837-1965: Bexar County Clerk's Office; San Antonio, Texas; Bexar County Marriage Records; Volumes: 6; Pages: 589 Ancestry Record 9168 #132076479
9. ↑ 1920 United States Federal Census: Year: 1920; Census Place: Columbus Ward 4, Muscogee, Georgia; Roll: T625_272; Page: 7A; Enumeration District: 102 Ancestry Record 6061 #8175081
10. ↑ 1930 United States Federal Census: Year: 1930; Census Place: Militia District 1104, Chattahoochee, Georgia; Page: 19B; Enumeration District: 0005; FHL microfilm: 2340080 Ancestry Record 6224 #19088147
11. ↑ Kansas, U.S., State Census Collection, 1855-1925: Kansas State Historical Society; Topeka, Kansas; 1925 Kansas Territory Census; Roll: KS1925_79; Line: 9 Ancestry Record 1088 #8526796
12. ↑ "Patch Directs 75,000 in Oregon Desert 'Battle'", The Altus Times-Democrat, Altus, Oklahoma, 27 Oct 1943, Wed. - Page 3. Newspapers Clip: 143111463, Accessed 10 Mar 2024.
13. ↑ 104th Division (Training), Public Affairs Office, Vancouver, Washington, Depository University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 14 Jun 1985. "104th Division (Training)." Accessed 10 Mar 2024.
14. ↑ Berlin, Robert H., U.S. Army World War II Corps - Commanders: A Composite Biography, Combat Studies Institute, 1946. "U.S. Army World War II Corps Commanders: A Composite Biography." Accessed 10 Mar 2024.
15. ↑ Patterson, Michael Robert, Arlington National Cemetery, 2 Mar 2024. "Gilbert R. Cook - Major General United States Army." Accessed 10 Mar 2024.
16. ↑ "Gen. Cook Dies - Commanded GI's Who Swept Into Germany", The York Dispatch, York, Pennsylvania, 20 Sep 1963, Fri. - Page 1. Newspapers Clip: 143108295, Accessed 10 Mar 2024.
17. ↑ U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014: Social Security Administration; Washington D.C., USA; Social Security Death Index, Master File Ancestry Record 3693 #12190429
18. ↑ Burial: Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/47210278/gilbert_richard-cook: accessed March 10, 2024), memorial page for MG Gilbert Richard Cook (30 Dec 1889–19 Sep 1963), Find A Grave: Memorial #47210278, citing Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Arlington County, Virginia, USA; Maintained by Billy Budd (contributor 51223934).

See Also

• Wikidata: Item Q5561163