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Only son of Paul Smith Cook of South Carolina and Elsie Cook of New Mexico. His parents were living at Route 1, Globe, Arizona in 1942. Cook enlisted on 5 January 1940 in San Diego and on 31 August 1940 sailed for Pearl Harbour on the USS Utah. He served on various ships: USS Worden from November 1940 to February 1941; from March to November 1941 he served on the USS Rigel; and on USS Pensacola from December 1941 until 10 January 1942, when he transferred to the USS Peary∼ARCHIE KENNEDY COOK was born in Globe, Gila, AZ on 28 Nov 1919 to Paul Smith and Elsie (Grasse) Cook who married 09 Mar 1919 in Globe, Gila, AZ. Elsie was only 15 years and 03 months old when she married Paul who was 30 years of age at that time. Archie was their only child. Paul was a mine worker for most of his life. He settled in Globe in 1918 and remained for the remainder of his life as did his wife, Elsie. Archie attended Globe High School. On 31 May 1939, Archie received his high school diploma with 80 other seniors at commencement exercises held at the school at 8 p.m.

In the fall of 1939, Archie obtained an enlistment application from the local Navy Recruiting Station (NRS) in Phoenix. Like many of his contemporaries, Archie, was lured to the opportunities available in the US military services. A steady income to help the family with expenses, adventure and the chance to learn a trade pulled strongly on many youth of the day. At the NRS, he completed preliminary entrance examinations, submitted personal references, completed administrative paperwork and passed background checks. Most importantly, he obtained his father's permission to enlist. About 3 January 1940, Archie received notice to report to the NRS in Phoenix in preparation for his enlistment. Along with 14 other Arizonians, Archie was sent to the Naval Training Station (NTS) in San Diego on 05 Jan 1940 where the group completed physical and dental exams after which they were sworn into the US Navy later that day. Archie's navy service number was NSN:381-31-46. He enlisted for four years of service with the beginning rank of Apprentice Seaman (AS).

Archie completed about 8 weeks of recruit training at NTS San Diego. Upon completion of this training, AS Cook was granted 10 days of "recruit leave" to visit family and friends before being sent to either a navy service class "A" school or to a ship in the US Fleet. AS Cook was enumerated in the 1940 US Census at NTS, San Diego on 01 April as an AS. Cook returned to NTS, San Diego at the expiration of his leave. While he waited for his orders, AS Cook advanced in rate to Seaman Second Class (S2c). In late July 1940, S2c Cook received orders to report for duty to the destroyer, USS Worden (DD-352) in Pearl Harbor. On 23 July 1940, S2c Cook embarked as a passenger on the target ship, USS Utah (AG-16), for his ride to Pearl Harbor. Utah arrived in Pearl Harbor on 01 Aug 1940 where she disembarked her passengers. Later that day, S2c Cook reported for duty on Worden. The remainder of the year was uneventful with the exception of Cook's advancement in rate to Seaman First Class (S1c) on 16 Nov 1940.

On 27 Feb 1941, S1c Cook received orders for temporary duty under instruction at the Elementary Fire Control School at the destroyer base in San Diego. His ride to San Diego was the fleet replenishment oiler, USS Kaskaskia (AO-27). He embarked on her as a passenger in Pearl Harbor on 27 Feb 1941 from Worden. Kaskaskia reached San Diego on 08 Mar 1941 where Cook disembarked. Apparently, the school did not begin until April so Cook reported on board the repair ship, USS Rigel (AR-11) on 08 March for temporary duty until his classes began. On 15 Apr, S1c Cook disembarked from Rigel and transferred to the destroyer base, San Diego to begin his duty under instruction at the Fire Control School. Cook completed the course in early July. On 13 July 1941, Cook returned to Worden for duty. On 01 Sep 1941, S1c Cook advanced in rate to Fire Controlman Third Class (FC3c).* After his advancement, Cook was temporarily assigned to the aircraft carrier, USS Saratoga (CV-3). On 18 Sep 1941, FC3 Cook returned to duty on Worden from Saratoga.

With the winds of war blowing ever harder by late 1941, the Navy Department was hurriedly attempting to fill manning shortages in the Asiatic Fleet. In early November 1941, Cook received orders to detach from Worden and report to Asiatic Station (ASTA) for assignment. On 17 Nov 1941, Cook detached from Worden and began his transfer to ASTA. Later that day, he embarked on the destroyer tender, USS Dobbin (AD-3) for transportation to Pearl Harbor. There he was to board the transport ship, USS Chaumont (AP-5). On 21 Nov, Dobbin docked in Pearl Harbor where Cook disembarked. Later that day, he embarked on board Chaumont. Underway on 29 Nov 1941 from Pearl Harbor, Chaumont was bound for the Philippines. It would prove to be a long and epic crossing.

Not long after getting underway, Chaumont joined eight other ships that comprised a convoy. The flagship was the troop transport, USS Republic (AP-33). The convoy, generally known as the Pensacola Convoy for its escort ship, the heavy cruiser, USS Pensacola (CA-24) (also seen by the US Army as the "Republic Convoy"), included the gunboat, USS Niagara (PG-52), US Navy transports USS Republic (AP-33) and USS Chaumont (AP-5), the US Army transport USAT Willard A Holbrook and USAT Meigs; the US Merchant ships S.S. Admiral Halstead and S.S. Coast Farmer, and the Dutch merchant ship MS Bloemfontein.

On board the convoy were 2600 US Army Air Forces personnel. On the Bloemfontein were eighteen crated Curtiss P-40 pursuit planes of the 35th Pursuit Group (PG) while forty-eight pursuit pilots of the 35th PG were embarked on the Republic and thirty-nine newly graduated but as yet unassigned pilots were on board the Holbrook. The presence of these planes and pilots would impact the destiny of the seaplane tender, USS Langley (AV-3), and the USS Edsall (DD-219). After war broke out, and Japanese forces attacked the Philippines, the convoy was diverted first to Suva, Fiji Islands.

On 14 Dec 1941, Cook transferred from Chaumont to Pensacola for duty in Suva. The convoy got underway on the 16th bound for Brisbane, Australia. Pensacola entered the harbor at Brisbane on 22 Dec 1941 and moored at Newstead Wharf. On 27 Dec 1941, FC3 Cook returned to Chaumont from Pensacola. On the afternoon of 28 Dec, Pensacola, along with transports Chaumont and USAT Willard A. Holbrook got underway.

On 2 Jan 1942, the Dutch ship MS Bloemfontein joined the convoy. The following morning (03 Jan 42) the convoy made passage through the Torres Strait above Cape York in far North Queensland, Australia. There they were joined by the heavy cruiser USS Houston (CA-30) and several destroyers. Houston relieved Pensacola as the convoy heavy escort, and with her destroyers and convoy ships proceeded to Darwin in the Northern Territory, Australia. Pensacola returned to Brisbane.

A week later, Chaumont dropped anchor in Port Darwin where Cook disembarked on 10 Jan 1942 and reported to the Commander, Destroyer Squadron 29 (CDS-29) on board the destroyer tender, USS Black Hawk (AD-9) for assignment. FC3 Cook was assigned to duty on the destroyer, USS Peary (DD-226) later that same day.

Peary had anchored at Port Darwin at 0840, 03 Jan 1942 after a 2100 mile plus transit from Manila, Philippines to Darwin, Australia. Within a week of arriving at Darwin, twenty-eight enlisted men and officers became ill with a virulent form of Malaria or Dengue Fever, contracted when the ship anchored off remote Maitara Island near Ternate in the Halmakeras. It was necessary to stop there to make repairs after being mistakenly identified as a Japanese ship by Australian aircraft who then attacked. Eventually eight men would die from the diseases.

Peary received tender availability services from USS Black Hawk (AD-9) to affect temporary repairs and make her seaworthy. Those repairs were completed on 22 Jan 1942. Peary assumed submarine escort duties on numerous occasions. She was an anti-submarine escort for USS Langley (AV-3) from Darwin to Fremantle, Australia between 08-13 Feb 1942 and she steamed with USS Houston escorting a Darwin-Koepang convoy from 14 to 18 Feb 1942. She was also searching for a submarine contact which reduced her fuel supply such that she had to return to Port Darwin to refuel.

Peary returned to Port Darwin and anchored about 0100, 19 Feb 1942. About 1045, Port Darwin came under attack by a combined Japanese carrier and land base force of over 200 fighters and bombers. Peary was hit by five bombs. The fifth bomb, an incendiary, exploded in the after engine room opening the ship to the sea. Peary sank, stern first with her anti-aircraft guns still firing until the last enemy plane left the area.

Eighty-eight officers and men including the commanding officer were killed in her sinking; 57 survived, 20 of whom were wounded. FC3 Cook was believed to have gone down with his ship. He was listed as missing in action on 19 Feb 1942. On 14 April 1942, Mr and Mrs Paul Cook, the parents of Archie Cook, received a telegram from the Navy Department. It read in part; "The Navy Department deeply regrets to inform you that your son, Fire Controlman Third Class Archie Kenney COOK, US Navy is missing following action in the performance of his duty and in the service of his country." According to an Arizona Republic newspaper article of 16 Apr 1942, Thu – p.25, the last time that Cook's parents heard from him was in a cable on 19 Feb 1941. Mr Cook was heard to say, "Missing in Action in the navy is bad news. We have just about given up hope that he is alive."

The following year, Mr and Mrs Cook received a letter from the Secretary of the Navy, Frank Knox, dated 17 March 1943. It read; "After a full review of all available information, I am reluctantly forced to the conclusion that your son, Archie Kennedy COOK, Fire Controlman Third Class, U.S.N., is deceased, having been reported 'missing in action' on the 19th day of February 1942, being a member of the crew and serving aboard the U.S.S. PEARY when that vessel was sunk in the port of Darwin, Australia. In accordance with Section 5 of Public Law 490, 77th Congress, as amended, your son's death is presumed to have occurred on the 20th of February 1943, which is the day following the day of expiration of an absence of twelve months. I extend to you my sincere sympathy in your great loss and hope you may find comfort in the knowledge that your son gave his life for his Country, upholding the highest traditions of the Navy. The Navy shares in your sense of bereavement and will feel the loss of his service."

FC3 Cook was posthumously awarded a Purple Heart, American Defense Service Medal w/Fleet Clasp (bronze star in lieu of clasp), Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal w/Fleet Clasp and two bronze stars (one bronze star in lieu of clasp), and the WWII Victory Medal. He may be eligible for the Combat Action Ribbon (retroactively).

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FC3 Cooks' parents also received a personal commemoration from President Franklin D. Roosevelt. It reads:

In grateful memory of Archie Kennedy COOK, who died in the service of his country at SEA, Asiatic Area, ATTACHED U.S.S. PEARY, 20 February 1943 (presumed). He stands in the unbroken line of patriots who have dared to die that freedom might live and grow and increase its blessings. Freedom lives, and through it, he lives -- in a way that humbles the undertakings of most men.

(Signed) Franklin D. Roosevelt,

President of the United States

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*Fire Controlmen were highly skilled technicians responsible for the operation of various forms of range finding gear, as well as the solving of ballistics calculations to control the firing of the ship's guns. These skills were employed initially for naval gunfire support and surface combat, but during World War II, their responsibilities expanded into anti-aircraft warfare as well.

Primary Sources:

1) Cox, Jeffery R., Rising Sun, Falling Skies, Osprey Publishing, UK, 2015.

2) Kehn, Donald M. Jr., In the Highest Degree Tragic, The Sacrifice of the U.S. Asiatic Fleet in the East Indies During World War II, Potomac Books, 2017.

3) Various Newspaper articles

4) Deck logs USS Peary retrieved 15 November 2021.

5) Northern Territory Library Roll of Honour: Browse location.

www.ntlexhibit.nt.gov.au. Retrieved 20 November 2021. URL may no longer work.

6) Wikipedia page, USS Peary (DD-226), Retrieved 12 November 2021.

7) Wilde, E. Andrew, Jr. (Ed). U.S.S. Peary (DD-226) in World War II, Manila to Darwin, 12/10/41-2/19/42 : Needham, Mass. : The Editor, 2007.

http://destroyerhistory.org/assets/pdf/wilde/226peary_wilde.pdf

8) Kehn, Donald M. Jr., A Blue Sea of Blood: deciphering the mysterious fate of the USS Edsall, Zenith Press, 2008.

9) Fold3 by Ancestry Navy Muster reports and Change reports

10) Ancestry.com Navy WWII muster and Change reports

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Link to USS Peary memorial in Darwin, Australia with list of names of those lost in the sinking of the ship. It's a cenotaph. https://www.maritimequest.com/misc_pages/monuments_memorials/uss_peary_memorial.htm

Link to photo of Plaque: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:USS_Peary_DD226_-_Roll_of_Honour.jpg

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Bio#380 compiled by Gerry Lawton (G47/GML470)

Military Hall of Honor ID#131021

Find A Grave Memorial Page #240478321