Donald Gilbert Cook, Capt., United States Marine Corps, was an advisor to the 4th Battallion, Vietnamese Marine Corps. On New Year's Eve 1964, while engaged with Viet Cong Forces in the Delta, Major Cook was shot in the leg & subsequently captured. During the following years of his captivity, Capt. Cook's behavior was legendary among his fellow P.O.W.'s. He jeopardized his own health & well-being by sharing his meager food & scarce medicines with less fortunate prisoners. Adhering to the Military Code of Conduct at all costs.

Colonel Norman Gaddis, United States Air Force, upon his return from captivity, described the impossible task of strict adherence to the Code. Those that tried were often killed. He tells of the time Capt. Cook had a .45 Caliber pistol placed to his head in an effort to make him cooperate. The Capt. calmly recited the nomenclature of the weapon. He would give them nothing.

In 1973, The Provisional Revolutionary Government (PRG) notified the United States, at the Paris Peace Talks, of Capt. Cook's death due to malaria. His death took place on December 8th 1967, while being moved from one P.O.W. camp to another. They further stated they had not yet discovered the location of his remains.

Capt. Cook was promoted to the rank of Colonel & awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. Alive or dead,Colonel Cook is a Prisoner of War. We must bring him home. Semper Fi Colonel. We'll never forget.

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