Aron E. Cook, Sr.
Master Sergeant, U.S. Army

In February 1951, Master Sergeant Aron E. Cook, was serving with Company K, 3rd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment (Infantry), 1st Cavalry Division, in Korea.

On 14 February, MSG Cook's unit was engaged with enemy forces in the vicinity of Konjiam-ni, Korea. MSG Cook's platoon was given the mission of securing an objective on Hill 578, which had been holding up the Regiment's advance for two days. After overcoming heavy mortar, machine-gun and small-arms fire, MSG Cook skillfully directed the seizure of the objective without any casualties to his platoon. While reorganizing his men, MSG Cook and the machine-gunner were wounded as the enemy launched a fierce counterattack. MSG Cook rushed forward, rolled his machine-gunner to a place of comparative safety, and began firing the machine-gun himself. Suffering heavy losses as a result of his devastating fire, the enemy concentrated their assault against MSG Cook's position. As they got within a few feet of his emplacement, MSG Cook charged the enemy, throwing hand grenades. This sudden, aggressive act so surprised the enemy that they fled in confusion. Wounded a second time in this action, MSG Cook refused medical aid until his platoon was reorganized and its position consolidated. MSG Cook's extraordinary heroism and inspiring leadership earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Purple Heart
Army Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Korean Service Medal
United Nations Service Medal
Republic of Korea War Service Medal
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
Combat Infantryman Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Aron E. Cook (RA06289766), Master Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company K, 3d Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment (Infantry), 1st Cavalry Division. Master Sergeant Cook distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Konjiam-ni, Korea, on 14 February 1951. Sergeant Cook's platoon was given the mission of securing an objective on Hill 578, which had been holding up the regiment's advance for two days. After overcoming heavy mortar, machine-gun and small-arms fire, Sergeant Cook so skillfully directed the seizure of the objective that no casualties were suffered by his platoon. While reorganizing his platoon, Sergeant Cook and the machine-gunner were wounded as the enemy launched a fierce counterattack. Disregarding his own wound, Sergeant Cook rushed forward and rolled his comrade from an exposed position to one of comparative safety and then began firing the machine-gun himself. The enemy, suffering extremely heavy losses as a result of his devastating fire, concentrated their assault against Sergeant Cook's position. When they pushed to within a few feet of his emplacement, Sergeant Cook leaped from his position and charged the enemy, throwing hand grenades. This sudden and aggressive act so demoralized the enemy that they broke and fled in confusion. Wounded a second time in this action, Sergeant Cook refused medical aid until he had assured himself that his platoon was effectively reorganized and its position consolidated.

Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 632 (August 11, 1951)

Death and Burial

Master Sergeant Aron E. Cook died on 8 January 1995. He is buried at the Houston National Cemetery in Houston, Harris County, TX, in Plot: G2, 0, 1564.

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