US Navy Rear Admiral. Cooper graduated from the United States Navy Academy in 1927. He was Commanding Officer of the USS Palmer DD-161 from February of 1942 until December 14, 1943. He next became the Commanding Officer of the Destroyer USS Bennion DD-662, when in the Battle for Leyte Gulf he participated in night torpedo attacks against advancing columns of enemy battleships, cruisers and destroyers. He was awarded the Navy Cross for heroism as he directed his ship through intense and prolonged enemy gunfire to launch a well executed attack and succeeded in retiring without damage to his vessel. His efforts led to the decisive defeat of the Japanese advance. After his service aboard the USS Bennion, he was on the staff of Amphibious Group Nine, participating in amphibious landings in the Philippine Islands. He later served with the Bureau of Ordnance and was the Commanding Officer of Destroyer Squadron Twelve in the Atlantic. After World War II he had various staff assignment and taught ROTC at Harvard University. During the Korean War, he was Captain of the Battleship Iowa, the flagship of the U.S. 7th Fleet. In the late 1950's Cooper headed the Naval section of the United States Military Aid Group. In 1963 Cooper was promoted to Rear Admiral and retired the same year.
US Navy Rear Admiral. Cooper graduated from the United States Navy Academy in 1927. He was Commanding Officer of the USS Palmer DD-161 from February of 1942 until December 14, 1943. He next became the Commanding Officer of the Destroyer USS Bennion DD-662, when in the Battle for Leyte Gulf he participated in night torpedo attacks against advancing columns of enemy battleships, cruisers and destroyers. He was awarded the Navy Cross for heroism as he directed his ship through intense and prolonged enemy gunfire to launch a well executed attack and succeeded in retiring without damage to his vessel. His efforts led to the decisive defeat of the Japanese advance. After his service aboard the USS Bennion, he was on the staff of Amphibious Group Nine, participating in amphibious landings in the Philippine Islands. He later served with the Bureau of Ordnance and was the Commanding Officer of Destroyer Squadron Twelve in the Atlantic. After World War II he had various staff assignment and taught ROTC at Harvard University. During the Korean War, he was Captain of the Battleship Iowa, the flagship of the U.S. 7th Fleet. In the late 1950's Cooper headed the Naval section of the United States Military Aid Group. In 1963 Cooper was promoted to Rear Admiral and retired the same year.
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