The First Marine Captured in Vietnam: A Biography of Donald G. Cook

by Donald L. Price

Overview

Colonel Donald Gilbert Cook was the first U.S. Marine captured in Vietnam, the first and only Marine in history to earn the Medal of Honor while in captivity; and the first Marine POW to have a U.S. Navy ship named in his honor, the USS Donald Cook (DDG-75). On December 31, 1964, while serving as an observer with a South Vietnamese Marine Corps battalion on a combat operation against Viet Cong forces, he was captured near the village of Binh Gia in South Vietnam. Until his death in captivity in December 1967, Cook led ten POWs in a series of primitive jungle camps.

This first book-length biography concentrates especially on Cook's three years in captivity, and is the first book exclusively about a Marine POW held in South Vietnam. Throughout, Cook's adherence to the Corps' traditional leadership principles and knowledge of the Code of Conduct are highlighted. His biography provides a unique case study of exemplary leadership under extremely difficult conditions. Includes 68 photographs.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780786428045
Publisher:	McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers
Publication date:	03/07/2007
Pages:	334
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.67(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Retired Marine Colonel Donald L. Price earned the Silver Star, three Bronze Stars and the Purple Heart for service in Vietnam. He lives in Sierra Vista, Arizona.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Preface     

1. Captain Cook and Comrade Troi     
2. More Than Life Itself     
3. A Ranger Advisor’s Courage     
4. Bring Back Our Dead Kinsmen     
5. Missing and Presumed Captured     
6. One of the Pope’s Commandos     
7. The Forging of a Leader     
8. The Arkansas Rebel     
9. Faith Without Fear     
10. Oil Can Harry and Friends     
11. Living by the Code     
12. Escape and Defiance     
13. The Gentle Giant Succumbs     
14. Mind Games     
15. Writing Lessons     
16. Setting the Superman Example     
17. Sammie the Woe and Charlie the Smuggler     
18. Survival Partners     
19. A Camp Rather Far from Here     
20. Operation Homecoming     
21. Above and Beyond the Call of Duty     

Epilogue     
Appendix: The U.S. Military Code of Conduct     
Chapter Notes     
Bibliography     
Index     

Editorial Reviews

brings back the terror and heartache of these times...thoroughly-researched...highly recommended!”—Midwest Book Review; “[the author] has done a great service in his book...I highly recommend this book”—Marine Corps Gazette; “very impressive...a captivating read”—Purple Heart Magazine; “riveting...extensive research”—U.S. Naval Institute.

From the Publisher

very impressive...a captivating read

Purple Heart Magazine

[the author] has done a great service in his book...I highly recommend this book

Marine Corps Gazette

brings back the terror and heartache of these times...thoroughly-researched...highly recommended!

Midwest Book Review