Cook Cleland

[Owen Miller]

Cook Cleland, hero of Philippine Sea, hero of the National Air Races,
hero of VF-653 in Korea is gone. Hell, he was everyone's hero!!!!!!!!!

[Jerry O'Neill]

Godspeed Cook.

[P51Mstg]

Cook Lectured to the Checkered Flag Club at Reno at lunch a few years back, really cool talk, enjoyed talking to him afterwards.

We'll miss him

Mark H

Truly a good man

Steve

[Dan K]

Thanks for the heads-up, Owen...just wish it was different news.

Condolences to grieving family and friends.

[mustangdriver]

Very sad day for the aviation world. He will be missed.

[JohnH]

darn I hesitated clicking on this, I knew it exactly what it would say. Sad to hear it.

John

[Owen Miller]

He was a gracious gentleman; outgoing, funny, and humble
as can be from a generation that stands alone. Godspeed
Cook, we'll miss you!!!!!!!

http://www.legacy.com/pensacolanewsjour ... d=90697312

[tom d. friedman]

ole cook, he was a character. at the 2003 corsair gathering he related when his ship was sunk, he was in the water, the japanese were depth charging, & he said he & his fellow floaters put their finger in their buttholes to keep from crapping themselves!!!! well.... the crowd / attendees were aghast & laughing at the same time. he was a colorful guy!!! he earned his hashmarks. rest in peace.

[Owen Miller]

Actually, I think the "finger up the bung" was to
keep the sea water from being pushed up into
the intestines from the depth charges going off.
The DDs were trying to sink the sub that got the
Wasp and the survivors were still in the water.

[Robbie Stuart]

I met Cook at Trader Jon's. Enjoyed talking with him. I told him that he was one of heros. God Bless Ya Cook.
Robbie

[tom d. friedman]

in the late 50's, or early 60's when cc owned an airport next to my best friend's dad's golf course in solon ohio he crash landed a pby catalina he owned & operated right on the course fairway. needless to say......... the neighborly relationship was over after that.