Cooke, Harold Joseph

Individual Personnel Data
Name	Cooke, Harold Joseph ‡ ⇗
Rank	Staff Sergeant
Serial Number	34430596 ‡
Unit Assignments	Assigned to the 545th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), per Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho, Special Orders #70 dated 11 March 1943, effective 11 March 1943.
Duty	Tail Gunner
Last Duty Date	22 June 1943
Results	Killed In Action Final Resting Place or Memorial: Ardennes American Cemetery, Neupré, Belgium: Plot A Row 44 Grave 32
Additional Information	Date of Birth: 5 July 1921 Ordered to attend Gunnery School at Snettisham, Norfolk, for approximately 10 days beginning on or about 30 May 1943, on SO #21 dated 30 May 1943. Students are required to bring .50 cal. Ammunition, gas mask, steel helmet, mess equipment, blankets, clothing for ten days, and draw 'PX rations' in advance.
Related Documents	Missing Air Crew Report # 2165⇓ (3.060 MB) Crew 17 (Legacy)⇗
Photo Album:	Crew Photo Album⇗

Crew Composition When Assigned to the 384th BG
Original 384^th Combat Crew
CREWMEMBER	POSITION	RESULTS
2nd Lt. Olbinski, Robert James⇗	Pilot	POW
2nd Lt. Swift, Harry R⇗	Co-pilot	POW
2nd Lt. Grandpre, Richard Elias⇗	Navigator	POW
2nd Lt. Turner, Douglas Haig⇗	Bombardier	KIA
S/SGT. Reed, Oliver Eugene⇗	Radio Operator / Gunner	POW
S/SGT. Trickett, Ernest Milton⇗	Engineer / Top Turret Gunner	KIA
S/SGT. Werbanec, George Frank⇗	Ball Turret Gunner	POW
S/SGT. Cooke, Harold Joseph	Tail Gunner	KIA
S/SGT. Hanna, William Lyvere⇗	Flexible Gunner	TR
PVT. Waterman, George W⇗	Flexible Gunner	KIA

Crew History

The Olbinski Crew joined the 545th BS at Wendover on 11 March 1943. Identified as 'Crew #17' on the assignment order, they became the first 'Crew #59' in the squadron. Prior to transferring overseas, Counihan replaced Hanna for unknown reasons. They trained at Wendover, Sioux City, and Kearney, and then flew to England together.
They entered combat together, flying the 384th's first mission on 22 June 1943, but were shot down over enemy territory. Turner, Trickett, Cooke and Waterman were KIA, and the rest of the crew became POWs for the duration of the war.

Missions, Aircraft, Crews
This individual was credited with 1 Combat Mission.
Number	Date	Target	Position	Aircraft	Mission/Sortie Information
1⇗	22 June 1943	Target: General Motors Truck Factory Type: Industry Location: Antwerp, Belgium	Tail Gunner	42‑30076⇗	Combat Mission Credit Failed To Return Shot down by enemy aircraft; crashed near Wilhelminadoorp, The Netherlands. MACR 2165 Sortie Report⇗

Every effort has been expended to ensure all information on this page is complete and accurate.
Please inform webmaster of any discrepancies or omissions by using the button below.