Medal of Honor: Donald Gilbert Cook – Vietnam War – Republic of Vietnam – 1964–1967
In captivity, without weapons or rank to protect him, he led by sacrifice alone. Through suffering and self-denial, he upheld honor when survival demanded surrender.
December 31, 2025
Name: Donald Gilbert Cook
Rank: Colonel (then Captain)
Organization: United States Marine Corps
Status: Prisoner of War
Place: Republic of Vietnam
Entered Service At: Brooklyn, New York
Born: Brooklyn, New York
Summary of Action
Between 31 December 1964 and 8 December 1967, Colonel Donald G. Cook distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism while interned as a Prisoner of War by the Viet Cong in the Republic of Vietnam.
Despite knowing that assuming leadership would result in harsher treatment, Captain Cook deliberately established himself as the senior prisoner among his fellow captives. Though not the highest-ranking officer present, he accepted responsibility for the physical and moral welfare of his comrades, consistently placing their survival above his own.
Colonel Cook repeatedly gave his limited medicine and rations to those in greater need, while personally nursing the sick and wounded. In doing so, he exposed himself to contagious diseases at a time when his own health was rapidly deteriorating. He steadfastly refused to deviate from the Code of Conduct, despite persistent pressure from his captors to cooperate in exchange for improved treatment or early release.
His unwavering resistance, moral strength, and quiet leadership earned the respect of both fellow prisoners and enemy guards alike. Fully aware that his refusal to compromise would likely prevent his release and shorten his life, Colonel Cook nonetheless chose loyalty, duty, and honor above self-preservation.
His conduct sustained the spirit of his fellow prisoners through years of captivity and stands as a profound example of valor without combat—courage measured not in moments, but in years.
Medal of Honor Citation
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 hardships, 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.
