Willard Richardson Cooke Jr
Military
Object Number - UPL 45923 - 2nd Lt. Willard R. Cooke Jr.
Willard R. Cooke entered the US Army Air Corps from Galveston, Texas. Lt. Cooke was Killed in Action while co-piloting C-47 #42-100674. His aircraft was hit by flak near Wesel Germany and became engulfed in flames after releasing the two gliders his crew was towing in Operation Varsity on 24 March 1945. Lt. Cooke and the rest of the crew were unable to parachute out of the aircraft. Lt. Cooke is buried in Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial in Limburg, Netherlands.
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Troop Carrier
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 436th Troop Carrier Group 81st Troop Carrier Squadron
- Service Numbers: 35412496
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant (2nd Grade)
- Role/Job: C-47 Crew Chief
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 436th Troop Carrier Group 81st Troop Carrier Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-800341
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Role/Job: C-47 Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 436th Troop Carrier Group 81st Troop Carrier Squadron
- Service Numbers: 34316021
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant (3rd Grade)
- Role/Job: Radio Operator
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: C-47 Skytrain
- Unit: 436th Troop Carrier Group
Revisions
GENERAL ORDER # 71, IX Troop Carrier Command dated 18 May 1945: From Headquarters IX GROUP CARRIER COMMAND by Major General Williams, and www.findagrave.com/memorial/56297781/willard-richardson-cooke
