Julian Cook

Colonel Julian Aaron Cook (October 7, 1916 – June 19, 1990) was an officer of the United States Army who gained fame during World War II for his crossing of the Waal river during Operation Market Garden in September 1944.

For the U.S. judge, see Julian A. Cook.
Julian Aaron Cook
Born(1916-10-07)October 7, 1916
Mount Holly, Vermont, United States
DiedJune 19, 1990(1990-06-19) (aged 73)
Columbia, South Carolina, United States
AllegianceUnited States of America
Service/branch United States Army
Years of service1940—1968
Rank Colonel
Service number0-23290
Unit Infantry Branch
Commands held3rd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment
Battles/warsWorld War II
AwardsDistinguished Service Cross
Legion of Merit
Bronze Star Medal (2)
Purple Heart (3)
Military William Order

Biography

Cook was born at Mount Holly, Vermont on October 7, 1916. He attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, and was commissioned as a second lieutenant on graduation in 1940. He volunteered for the airborne forces in 1942, joining the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment (504th PIR), which became part of the 82nd "All American" Airborne Division.

Cook made combat jumps into Sicily, Salerno, and Anzio before taking command of the 3rd Battalion of the 504th PIR just prior to Operation Market Garden. The regiment, due to heavy losses in Italy and a lack of airborne replacements, did not participate in the Allied invasion of Normandy.[1]

On September 17, 1944, Cook, now a major, jumped into the Netherlands near the Maas-Waal Canal. After assisting in securing the canal crossing, his unit marched to Nijmegen.

Brigadier General James M. Gavin, commanding the 82nd Airborne, had ordered a crossing of the Waal River during daylight hours so the Americans could outflank the German defenders, who were dug in around the city's crucial bridges. Put in charge of the crossing, Cook was in the first wave across the river. As Cook's first wave began their crossing, the Allied bombardment began. The wind blew away the smokescreen, leaving the men in the water visible to the German guns. As a devout Catholic, Cook loudly recited Hail Mary during the crossing, spurring his men on under the withering fire. He took charge of the boats, redirecting those who had become disoriented and pushing the men along. Once ashore, the 504th PIR cleared the river bank, moved north and assaulted the railway bridge over the highway leading to the main road bridge in the village of Lent.[2][3][4][5][6][7][8] Cook was subsequently awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.[9]

After Market Garden, Cook was promoted to lieutenant colonel. Cook led his battalion during the Ardennes Offensive in fighting around Trois-Ponts, Cheneux[10] and Herresbach, and later on in the drive through Germany. At the end of the war, he was promoted to colonel.

In 1953 Cook became American liaison officer to the French forces in French Indochina. There he became ill and spent eight months in hospitals.

He died at Columbia, SC on June 19, 1990.

Robert Redford portrayed Cook in the 1977 film A Bridge Too Far.

Honors and awards

On October 8, 1945, by Royal Decree, Cook was knighted by Queen Wilhelmina, with the rank of Knight 4th class of the Military William Order. The Order is the highest and oldest honour of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which is bestowed for "performing excellent acts of Bravery, Leadership and Loyalty in battle".[11] It is comparable to the French Légion d'honneur or the American Medal of Honor, but far less frequently awarded.

References
  1. Gavin, James (1978). On to Berlin. New York: Viking Press. p. 178.
  2. It Never Snows in September by Robert Kershaw
  3. The Battle For The Rhine by Robin Neilands
  4. Reflect on Things Past by Peter Carington
  5. Market Garden Then and Now by Karel Magry
  6. Gavin, James (1978). On to Berlin. New York: Viking Press. pp. 178–181.
  7. MacDonald, Charles (1963). The Siegfried Line Campaign. Washington: Office of the Chief of Military History. pp. 179–182.
  8. Ryan, Cornelius (1974). A Bridge Too Far. New York: Simon and Schuster. pp. 456–468. ISBN 0-671-21792-5.
  9. "Valor awards for Julian Aaron Cook". Military Times Hall of Valor. 2011. Retrieved October 22, 2011.
  10. Gavin, James (1978). On to Berlin. New York: Viking Press. pp. 224–225.
  11. Military order of William - Official website Archived 2011-07-16 at the Wayback Machine
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