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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

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  • Boats-Ships--Support Ships
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  • World War II 1939-1945
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Cook I (APD-130)

1945-

Andrew Fred Cook, Jr., born 2 January 1920 in Alpoca, W. Va., enlisted in U.S. Marine Corps 15 September 1938, saw service at Parris Island, Quantico, Guantanamo, and New River. Serving in the field from 10 May 1942, he was promoted to second lieutenant 14 July 1942. He was killed in action on Guadalcanal 4 November 1942, receiving the Navy Cross for gallantry and self-sacrifice in the action in which he gave his life.

Dallas Harry Cook, his brother, was born 19 May 1921 in Robinette, W. Va., and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps 14 August 1940. After service at Quantico, Guantanamo, and P.R., he served in the field from 14 February 1942. He was promoted to sergeant 21 May 1942 and was killed in action in the raid on Makin Is. 18 August 1942. He was awarded the Navy Cross for the action in which he gave his life with great personal valor.

I

(APD-130: dp. 1,450; l. 306'; b. 36'10"; dr. 13'; s. 24k.; cpl. 256; a. 1 5"; cl. Crosley)

Cook (APD-130) was launched 26 August 1944 by Defoe Shipbuilding Co., Bay City, Mich.; sponsored by Mrs. A. F. Cook, mother of second lieutenant Cook and sergeant Cook; and commissioned 25 April 1945, Lieutenant Commander D. N. Hamilton, USNR, in command.

Cook sailed from Norfolk 19 June 1945 for San Diego, arriving 2 July. On 20 September she arrived at Tokyo carrying men of underwater demolition teams. After transporting troops to Okinawa, Cook reconnoitered Hakodate before its occupation. She sailed home from Yokohama by way of Guam, Eniwetok, and Pearl Harbor, to San Diego, arriving 13 November. After repairs, she spent the month of January transporting troops along the west coast. Cook was placed out of commission in reserve 31 May 1946, berthed at San Diego.

Cook was recommissioned 6 October 1953, and took part in training and landing exercises off San Diego. She entered Mare Island Naval Shipyard for conversion to an APD flagship between 28 November 1953 and 15 March 1954 and continued training operations out of San Diego until 19 November, when she sailed for the far east. After participating in amphibious exercises on the west coast of Korea, she operated from 21 January 1955 to 19 May as flagship for Operation "Passage to Freedom," the evacuation of refugees from North Vietnam.

Cook returned to San Diego 12 June 1955, and sailed in various landing and training exercises as primary control vessel or antisubmarine ship. In November she joined in a combined amphibious operation with Canadian forces. Local operations off California, including a period of service as a submarine target vessel, continued until 21 March 1956, when she sailed to Kauai, Hawaii, for an amphibious exercise in which she served as control vessel.

Cook returned to San Diego 23 April 1956 for maintenance antisubmarine exercises, and public orientation cruises, until 22 August 1957 when she departed for a tour of duty in the western Pacific based at Yokosuka. She stood by off Borneo during the Indonesian crisis from 14 to 22 December. Back home in San Diego 10 April 1958, Cook participated in operations along the west coast, including major interservice exercises, and between 13 October 1959 and 29 April 1960 cruised in the far east once more. Returning to the States, Cook operated along the west coast for the remainder of 1960.

Published: Fri Jan 26 07:35:29 EST 2018