Medal of Honor: Donald Gilbert Cook – Vietnam War – 1964–1967

Name: Donald Gilbert Cook
Rank: Colonel (then Captain)
Organization: U.S. Marine Corps
Unit: Prisoner of War, Viet Cong captivity
Place and Date: Republic of Vietnam – 31 December 1964 to 8 December 1967
Entered Service At: Brooklyn, New York
Born: August 9, 1934 – Brooklyn, New York
Departed: Presumed died in captivity, December 8, 1967
Accredited To: New York

---

Summary of Action

Captured by Viet Cong forces on December 31, 1964, Captain Donald G. Cook entered captivity with no illusions about the hardships ahead. But from the earliest days, he established himself as the senior prisoner—not by rank, but by moral authority. Despite knowing that it would draw harsher punishment from his captors, he assumed responsibility for the welfare, morale, and survival of the men held with him.

Cook divided food equally, turned over his medicine to those in worse condition, and tended to the sick while fevered and malnourished himself. He exposed himself to contagious diseases to care for dying comrades. He refused to accept special privileges, rejected propaganda efforts, and never once compromised the Code of Conduct—fully aware that every refusal reduced his chances of survival.

When the Viet Cong attempted to separate him for favored treatment or early release, he declined, choosing to remain with the weakest prisoners. His resolve frustrated his captors and inspired those around him, who drew strength from his example even as his own health deteriorated.

Colonel Cook’s final months were spent in extreme deprivation. Yet he continued to encourage others, share what little he had, and uphold the ideals of the Marine Corps to his last breath. He died as he had lived in captivity: refusing to break, refusing to abandon his comrades, and refusing to forsake the honor of his service.

He remains the only Marine Corps officer captured in Vietnam to receive the Medal of Honor.

---

Medal of Honor Citation

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while interned as a Prisoner of War by the Viet Cong in the Republic of Vietnam during the period 31 December 1964 to 8 December 1967. Despite the fact that by so doing he would bring about harsher treatment for himself, Colonel (then Captain) Cook established himself as the senior prisoner, even though in actuality he was not. Repeatedly assuming more than his share of their health, Colonel Cook willingly and unselfishly put the interests of his comrades before that of his own well-being and, eventually, his life. Giving more needy men his medicine and drug allowance while constantly nursing them, he risked infection from contagious diseases while in a rapidly deteriorating state of health. This unselfish and exemplary conduct, coupled with his refusal to stray even the slightest from the Code of Conduct, earned him the deepest respect from not only his fellow prisoners, but his captors as well. Rather than negotiate for his own release or better treatment, he steadfastly frustrated attempts by the Viet Cong to break his indomitable spirit, and passed this same resolve on to the men whose well-being he so closely associated himself. Knowing his refusals would prevent his release prior to the end of the war, and also knowing his chances for prolonged survival would be small in the event of continued refusal, he chose nevertheless to adhere to a Code of Conduct far above that which could be expected. His personal valor and exceptional spirit of loyalty in the face of almost certain death reflected the highest credit upon Colonel Cook, the Marine Corps, and the United States Naval Service.