Julian Cook

For the U.S. judge, see Julian Abele Cook Jr.

Julian Aaron Cook
File:Julian Cook.jpg
Born	(1916-10-07)October 7, 1916 Mount Holly, Vermont
Died	Columbia, South Carolina
Allegiance	United States
Service/branch	United States Army
Years of service	1940—1968
Rank	Colonel
Service number	0-23290
Unit	504th Parachute Infantry Regiment
Commands held	3rd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment
Battles/wars	World War II
Awards	Distinguished Service Cross Legion of Merit Bronze Star Medal (2) Purple Heart (3) Military William Order

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.

Biography

Cook was born at Mount Holly, VT on October 7, 1916. He attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, and graduated as an officer in 1940. He volunteered for the airborne forces in 1942, joining the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment (504th PIR), part of the 82nd Airborne Division, nicknamed the "All Americans".

Cook made combat jumps into Sicily, Salerno, and Anzio before beginning command of the 3rd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment just prior to Operation Market Garden. The 504th PIR, due to heavy losses and a lack of airborne replacements, did not participate in the invasion of Normandy.

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. Major General 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. Cook was put in charge of the crossing, 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 open and 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 were disoriented and pushing the men along. Once ashore, the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment cleared the river bank. and assaulted the highway bridge. Cook was subsequently awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.

After Market Garden, Cook was promoted to lieutenant colonel. Cook led his battalion during the Ardennes Offensive in fights around Trois-Ponts, Cheneux 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.

Honours 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". It is an extremely prestigious award, comparable to the French Légion d’honneur or the American Medal of Honor, but far less frequently awarded.