Cook was born at Mount Holly, Vermont on October 7, 1916. He attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, and graduated as an officer, with the rank of second lieutenant, in 1940. He volunteered for the airborne forces in 1942, joining the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment (504th PIR), which became part of the […]
US Airborne
Meet the Heroes: US Airborne Lieutenant Colonel – Benjamin Vandervoort
The real Benjamin Vandervoort Benjamin Hayes “Vandy” Vandervoort was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross twice. He was the Commanding Officer of the 2nd Battalion, 505th PIR, during the airborne landings in Normandy. Despite having broken his ankle on landing, he led his battalion in defending the town of Sainte-Mère-Église on 6 June. During “Operation Market […]
Meet the Heroes: US Airborne T/4 George Luz Sr. & 1st Lt. Harry F. Welsh
Technician Fourth Grade George Luz, Sr. was a non-commissioned officer with Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, in the 101st Airborne Division during World War II. George Luz had a knack for causing trouble with his sense of humor, and his ability to imitate just about anyone. During a training exercise in England, […]
Meet the Heroes: US Airborne Technician Fourth Grade Eugene Gilbert Roe, Sr.
Eugene Roe enlisted in the U.S. Army at Lafayette, Louisiana in 1942. Even though he wasn’t a doctor, he was made a combat medic and worked hard for his position. He was put in Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, at Camp Toccoa, where he trained under martinet Captain Herbert […]
Meet the Heroes: US Airborne Staff Sergeant “Wild Bill” Guarnere
Guarnere enlisted in the U.S. Army on 31 August 1942 and was placed in Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, in the Mortar Squad of 2nd Platoon. He went through rough training at Camp Toccoa, Georgia under Captain Herbert Sobel. After training at Camp Mackall, he and the 101st went […]
Meet the Heroes: US Airborne Lieutenant Ronald C. Speirs
Speirs joined the Paratroopers and was assigned to Baker Company, 1st Battalion, 506th PIR, 101st Airborne, at Camp Toccoa. He was later transferred to Dog Company, 2nd Battalion, and made 1st Lieutenant. After training, he headed to England to await their next mission. At Aldbourne, he married a British widow and together they had a […]
Meet the Heroes: US Airborne Staff Sergeant – Denver “Bull” Randleman
Randleman enlisted in the US Airborne Infantry in August 1942 and was assigned to Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division as a rifleman in 3rd Squad, 1st Platoon. He went through Basic Training at Camp Toccoa, Georgia under the harsh leadership of Captain Herbert Sobel. After training, Randleman became a […]
Meet the Heroes: US Airborne First Lieutenant – Lynn “Buck” Compton
In December 1943, Lynn Compton joined the Army and was assigned to E Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment in the 101st Airborne Division prior to Operation Overlord. During the company’s action at Brécourt Manor, Compton and others, under the leadership of Lieutenant Richard Winters, assaulted a German battery of four 105 mm howitzers firing […]
Meet the Heroes: US Airborne First Lieutenant – Clifford Carwood Lipton
Carwood Lipton was the jumpmaster of one of the C-47 Skytrains that the paratroopers used to jump into Normandy. Lipton dived into Normandy and was able to rendezvous with then First Lieutenant Richard Winters, Easy’s executive officer, and several other men from the 101st, and two more from the 82nd Airborne Division. They were later […]
Meet the Heroes: Lieutenant Colonel Robert G. Cole (Cole’s Charge)
On June 11, 1944 LtCol. Robert Cole with the 101st Airborne Division, had the objective to take Carentan. The young commander called in a smoke barrage right in front of the German positions and ordered his men to fix bayonets and charge. Many Americans were killed as they assaulted, but more than 100 of Cole’s […]