Cmd. Lawrence Blanchard Cook was born in Lowell, Mass. on Sept. 13, 1907. After attending the U.S. Naval Academy Prepartory School, he was appointed to the Naval Academy in June, 1927. He was commissioned an ensign in June, 1931.
From July, 1931, until June, 1938, he had duty on the following Naval vessels: USS Herbert (gunnery officer); USS King (communications officer); USS Northampton (gunnery officer); USS Argonne (gunnery officer).
He became an instructor in the Department of English, History and Government at the Naval Academy from July, 1938 until October, 1939. In November of that year, he helped fit out USS McCalla, and after its commissioning, he became the ship's first executive officer. In October, 1940, McCalla was turned over to the British government in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and he transferred to USS Howard as executive officer. In February, 1942, he assumed command of Howard.
He next attended the Sound School in Key West, Fla, in 1943 and then reported for duty at the Navy Yard, Boston, to fit out another warship -- USS Newcomb. He became the first commanding officer of Newcomb and the ship left for the Pacific.
For his services on Newcomb, Cook received the Navy Cross, the Bronze Star Medal and a Gold Star in lieu of a second Bronze Star Medal.
From October, 1945 to December, 1946, Cook's official biography indicates he was hospitalized, but the reasons were not listed.
In January,1947, he began a two-year tour as director of Public Information (Pers-16) at the Bureau of Personnel. In 1949, he was a student at the Armed Forces Staff College.
His next tour of duty was again at the Bureau of Personnel from August, 1951 to May, 1953.
He then spent one year as commanding officer on USS New Kent and then reported to the Naval War College from 1954 to 1957. In June, 1957, he became squadron commander of commander, Destroyer Squadron 30 and in October, 1958, he became chief of staff and aide for commander, Destroyer Force, Atlantic.
October of 1959 brought Cook to San Diego where he became the commanding officer of the Administrative Command before becomming center commander in July, 1960. He retired from Naval service on July 1, 1961.
In addition to his Navy Cross and Bronze Star, Cook also received the American Defense Service Medal, Fleet Clasp; the European-African-Middle Eastern Area Campaign Medal; the American Area Campaign Medal; the Asiatic-Pacific Area Campaign Medal; the World War II Victory Meday; and the National Defense Service Medal.
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http://valor.militarytimes.com/recipient.php?recipientid=19911
Navy Cross Citation
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Commander Lawrence Blanchard Cook, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the Destroyer U.S.S. NEWCOMB (DD-586), in action against enemy Japanese forces at Surigao Strait during the Battle for Leyte Gulf in the Philippine Islands on the night of 24 - 25 October 1944. When a formidable column of Japanese battleships, cruisers and destroyers was encountered advancing through the Strait in the darkness of the early morning hours, Commander Cook daringly and with brilliant tactical ability directed the ship against fierce and prolonged enemy gunfire and, skillfully placing his ship in an advantageous striking position despite extremely hazardous conditions, launched a devastating, accurate torpedo attack, subsequently withdrawing from the area without damage to his vessel. By his forceful leadership and indomitable fighting spirit in the face of tremendous odds, Commander Cook contributed materially to the decisive defeat of the aggressive enemy force and his valiant conduct throughout reflects great credit upon himself, his gallant command and the United States Naval Service.
Find A Grave Contributor: BarryC (47806468)
From July, 1931, until June, 1938, he had duty on the following Naval vessels: USS Herbert (gunnery officer); USS King (communications officer); USS Northampton (gunnery officer); USS Argonne (gunnery officer).
He became an instructor in the Department of English, History and Government at the Naval Academy from July, 1938 until October, 1939. In November of that year, he helped fit out USS McCalla, and after its commissioning, he became the ship's first executive officer. In October, 1940, McCalla was turned over to the British government in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and he transferred to USS Howard as executive officer. In February, 1942, he assumed command of Howard.
He next attended the Sound School in Key West, Fla, in 1943 and then reported for duty at the Navy Yard, Boston, to fit out another warship -- USS Newcomb. He became the first commanding officer of Newcomb and the ship left for the Pacific.
For his services on Newcomb, Cook received the Navy Cross, the Bronze Star Medal and a Gold Star in lieu of a second Bronze Star Medal.
From October, 1945 to December, 1946, Cook's official biography indicates he was hospitalized, but the reasons were not listed.
In January,1947, he began a two-year tour as director of Public Information (Pers-16) at the Bureau of Personnel. In 1949, he was a student at the Armed Forces Staff College.
His next tour of duty was again at the Bureau of Personnel from August, 1951 to May, 1953.
He then spent one year as commanding officer on USS New Kent and then reported to the Naval War College from 1954 to 1957. In June, 1957, he became squadron commander of commander, Destroyer Squadron 30 and in October, 1958, he became chief of staff and aide for commander, Destroyer Force, Atlantic.
October of 1959 brought Cook to San Diego where he became the commanding officer of the Administrative Command before becomming center commander in July, 1960. He retired from Naval service on July 1, 1961.
In addition to his Navy Cross and Bronze Star, Cook also received the American Defense Service Medal, Fleet Clasp; the European-African-Middle Eastern Area Campaign Medal; the American Area Campaign Medal; the Asiatic-Pacific Area Campaign Medal; the World War II Victory Meday; and the National Defense Service Medal.
____________________________
http://valor.militarytimes.com/recipient.php?recipientid=19911
Navy Cross Citation
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Commander Lawrence Blanchard Cook, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the Destroyer U.S.S. NEWCOMB (DD-586), in action against enemy Japanese forces at Surigao Strait during the Battle for Leyte Gulf in the Philippine Islands on the night of 24 - 25 October 1944. When a formidable column of Japanese battleships, cruisers and destroyers was encountered advancing through the Strait in the darkness of the early morning hours, Commander Cook daringly and with brilliant tactical ability directed the ship against fierce and prolonged enemy gunfire and, skillfully placing his ship in an advantageous striking position despite extremely hazardous conditions, launched a devastating, accurate torpedo attack, subsequently withdrawing from the area without damage to his vessel. By his forceful leadership and indomitable fighting spirit in the face of tremendous odds, Commander Cook contributed materially to the decisive defeat of the aggressive enemy force and his valiant conduct throughout reflects great credit upon himself, his gallant command and the United States Naval Service.
Find A Grave Contributor: BarryC (47806468)
Cmd. Lawrence Blanchard Cook was born in Lowell, Mass. on Sept. 13, 1907. After attending the U.S. Naval Academy Prepartory School, he was appointed to the Naval Academy in June, 1927. He was commissioned an ensign in June, 1931.
From July, 1931, until June, 1938, he had duty on the following Naval vessels: USS Herbert (gunnery officer); USS King (communications officer); USS Northampton (gunnery officer); USS Argonne (gunnery officer).
He became an instructor in the Department of English, History and Government at the Naval Academy from July, 1938 until October, 1939. In November of that year, he helped fit out USS McCalla, and after its commissioning, he became the ship's first executive officer. In October, 1940, McCalla was turned over to the British government in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and he transferred to USS Howard as executive officer. In February, 1942, he assumed command of Howard.
He next attended the Sound School in Key West, Fla, in 1943 and then reported for duty at the Navy Yard, Boston, to fit out another warship -- USS Newcomb. He became the first commanding officer of Newcomb and the ship left for the Pacific.
For his services on Newcomb, Cook received the Navy Cross, the Bronze Star Medal and a Gold Star in lieu of a second Bronze Star Medal.
From October, 1945 to December, 1946, Cook's official biography indicates he was hospitalized, but the reasons were not listed.
In January,1947, he began a two-year tour as director of Public Information (Pers-16) at the Bureau of Personnel. In 1949, he was a student at the Armed Forces Staff College.
His next tour of duty was again at the Bureau of Personnel from August, 1951 to May, 1953.
He then spent one year as commanding officer on USS New Kent and then reported to the Naval War College from 1954 to 1957. In June, 1957, he became squadron commander of commander, Destroyer Squadron 30 and in October, 1958, he became chief of staff and aide for commander, Destroyer Force, Atlantic.
October of 1959 brought Cook to San Diego where he became the commanding officer of the Administrative Command before becomming center commander in July, 1960. He retired from Naval service on July 1, 1961.
In addition to his Navy Cross and Bronze Star, Cook also received the American Defense Service Medal, Fleet Clasp; the European-African-Middle Eastern Area Campaign Medal; the American Area Campaign Medal; the Asiatic-Pacific Area Campaign Medal; the World War II Victory Meday; and the National Defense Service Medal.
____________________________
http://valor.militarytimes.com/recipient.php?recipientid=19911
Navy Cross Citation
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Commander Lawrence Blanchard Cook, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the Destroyer U.S.S. NEWCOMB (DD-586), in action against enemy Japanese forces at Surigao Strait during the Battle for Leyte Gulf in the Philippine Islands on the night of 24 - 25 October 1944. When a formidable column of Japanese battleships, cruisers and destroyers was encountered advancing through the Strait in the darkness of the early morning hours, Commander Cook daringly and with brilliant tactical ability directed the ship against fierce and prolonged enemy gunfire and, skillfully placing his ship in an advantageous striking position despite extremely hazardous conditions, launched a devastating, accurate torpedo attack, subsequently withdrawing from the area without damage to his vessel. By his forceful leadership and indomitable fighting spirit in the face of tremendous odds, Commander Cook contributed materially to the decisive defeat of the aggressive enemy force and his valiant conduct throughout reflects great credit upon himself, his gallant command and the United States Naval Service.
Find A Grave Contributor: BarryC (47806468)
From July, 1931, until June, 1938, he had duty on the following Naval vessels: USS Herbert (gunnery officer); USS King (communications officer); USS Northampton (gunnery officer); USS Argonne (gunnery officer).
He became an instructor in the Department of English, History and Government at the Naval Academy from July, 1938 until October, 1939. In November of that year, he helped fit out USS McCalla, and after its commissioning, he became the ship's first executive officer. In October, 1940, McCalla was turned over to the British government in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and he transferred to USS Howard as executive officer. In February, 1942, he assumed command of Howard.
He next attended the Sound School in Key West, Fla, in 1943 and then reported for duty at the Navy Yard, Boston, to fit out another warship -- USS Newcomb. He became the first commanding officer of Newcomb and the ship left for the Pacific.
For his services on Newcomb, Cook received the Navy Cross, the Bronze Star Medal and a Gold Star in lieu of a second Bronze Star Medal.
From October, 1945 to December, 1946, Cook's official biography indicates he was hospitalized, but the reasons were not listed.
In January,1947, he began a two-year tour as director of Public Information (Pers-16) at the Bureau of Personnel. In 1949, he was a student at the Armed Forces Staff College.
His next tour of duty was again at the Bureau of Personnel from August, 1951 to May, 1953.
He then spent one year as commanding officer on USS New Kent and then reported to the Naval War College from 1954 to 1957. In June, 1957, he became squadron commander of commander, Destroyer Squadron 30 and in October, 1958, he became chief of staff and aide for commander, Destroyer Force, Atlantic.
October of 1959 brought Cook to San Diego where he became the commanding officer of the Administrative Command before becomming center commander in July, 1960. He retired from Naval service on July 1, 1961.
In addition to his Navy Cross and Bronze Star, Cook also received the American Defense Service Medal, Fleet Clasp; the European-African-Middle Eastern Area Campaign Medal; the American Area Campaign Medal; the Asiatic-Pacific Area Campaign Medal; the World War II Victory Meday; and the National Defense Service Medal.
____________________________
http://valor.militarytimes.com/recipient.php?recipientid=19911
Navy Cross Citation
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Commander Lawrence Blanchard Cook, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the Destroyer U.S.S. NEWCOMB (DD-586), in action against enemy Japanese forces at Surigao Strait during the Battle for Leyte Gulf in the Philippine Islands on the night of 24 - 25 October 1944. When a formidable column of Japanese battleships, cruisers and destroyers was encountered advancing through the Strait in the darkness of the early morning hours, Commander Cook daringly and with brilliant tactical ability directed the ship against fierce and prolonged enemy gunfire and, skillfully placing his ship in an advantageous striking position despite extremely hazardous conditions, launched a devastating, accurate torpedo attack, subsequently withdrawing from the area without damage to his vessel. By his forceful leadership and indomitable fighting spirit in the face of tremendous odds, Commander Cook contributed materially to the decisive defeat of the aggressive enemy force and his valiant conduct throughout reflects great credit upon himself, his gallant command and the United States Naval Service.
Find A Grave Contributor: BarryC (47806468)
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