Only ship in US Navy to bury its own namesake

[jml1083]

Here is an unusual piece of Naval history.

 

I am a plank owner on the USS Cook DE-1083 (later FF-1083). The Cook was named for LCdr Wilmer Paul Cook, an A4E pilot from Attack Squadron 155 off the USS Coral Sea (CVA 43). He was shot down over North Vietnam on 22 December 1967. He was listed as Killed In Action / Body Not Recovered (KIA/BNR). He remained in that status until June 21, 1988 when the Vietnamese government returned his remains. His family requested that he be buried at sea and on November 27, 1989 his ashes were scattered at sea off the coast of San Diego, CA from the ship named in his honor.

 

It is believed this is the only case where a service member's remains were buried at sea from a ship named after him.

 

 

 

[Hank]

Jim,

 

Thanks for sharing this bit of U.S. Naval History. I served aboard USS STODDARD (DD-566) and USS NEW JERSEY (BB-62), both of which saw Vietnam Service during that period. I was on WesPac cruises Sep. '66 - Apr. '67 in STODDARD and Sep. '68 - Apr. '69 in NEW JERSEY. When our cruise ended in 1969, NEW JERSEY was in company with CORAL SEA when we were turned around mid-Pacific to address the shooting down of one of our USAF EC planes off the coast of N. Korea.

 

Thanks for your valuable service, shipmate!

 

 

[42rocker]

As I always say to our vets. THANKS for being there.

 

Later 42rocker

[linda w]

Help!  I am very new to this website and cant see for the life of me how to post a topic!  I saw when I googled that there was mention of the American ship Northern Belle, wrecked in 1857 and it is that I am particularly interested in, but cant seem to find where to put my request.  Sorry for 'piggy backing' your post!   Linda

[jml1083]

Linda,

 

This link should take you to the part of the forum where any questions you have about posing should be answered. Info on Posting.

[CaptainSteve]

Help!  I am very new to this website and cant see for the life of me how to post a topic!  I saw when I googled that there was mention of the American ship Northern Belle, wrecked in 1857 and it is that I am particularly interested in, but cant seem to find where to put my request.  Sorry for 'piggy backing' your post!   Linda

 

Linda,

 

If your interest is of the history of your ship, then I'd suggest starting a topic under this category (Nautical History). Title it something like "Northern Belle - History", post what you know and what your specific questions are, then wait for the responses.

Edited March 11, 2013 by CaptainSteve

[TomShipModel]

Jim, Thanks for posting this.  Thank you for your service and thanks to LT CMDR Cook.  While I never served, my Father did, in WW II and I work with many who have.  I have great respect for you all.

[rpeteru]

I concur even though my service was with a different navy, I thank all servicemen who served because they believed in their country's cause.

Thank you for your service.