William Edward Cook

Staff Sergeant, U. S. Marine Corps

Silver Star

GENERAL ORDERS:
Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force Pacific: Serial 6726
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class William E. Cook (MCSN: 512747), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving in a platoon of Company K, Third Battalion, Second Marines, SECOND Marine Division, during operations against enemy Japanese forces on Saipan, Marianas Islands on 24 June 1944.
With his platoon pinned down by an intense barrage of machine gun fire emanating from commanding ground, Private First Class Cook immediately proceeded to a position on the enemy's flank and boldly delivered repeated bursts of accurate rifle fire on the hostile gun emplacement.
Although painfully wounded in the shoulder by return fire he gallantly maintained his position and continued to fire on the Japanese thereby enabling his platoon to advance and capture the enemy stronghold.
By his personal valor, daring initiative and indomitable fighting spirit Private First Class Cook contributed materially to the success of our forces in this strategic area and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.