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The First Marine Captured in Vietnam: A Biography of Donald G. Cook
Colonel Donald Gilbert Cook was the first U.S. Marine captured in Vietnam, the first and only Marine in history to earn the Medal of Honor while in captivity; and the first Marine POW to have a U.S. Navy ship named in his honor, the USS Donald Cook (DDG-75). On December 31, 1964, while serving as an observer with a South Vietnamese Marine Corps battalion on a combat operation against Viet Cong forces, he was captured near the village of Binh Gia in South Vietnam. Until his death in captivity in December 1967, Cook led ten POWs in a series of primitive jungle camps.
This first book-length biography concentrates especially on Cook's three years in captivity, and is the first book exclusively about a Marine POW held in South Vietnam. Throughout, Cook's adherence to the Corps' traditional leadership principles and knowledge of the Code of Conduct are highlighted. His biography provides a unique case study of exemplary leadership under extremely difficult conditions. Includes 68 photographs.
This first book-length biography concentrates especially on Cook's three years in captivity, and is the first book exclusively about a Marine POW held in South Vietnam. Throughout, Cook's adherence to the Corps' traditional leadership principles and knowledge of the Code of Conduct are highlighted. His biography provides a unique case study of exemplary leadership under extremely difficult conditions. Includes 68 photographs.
335 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 21, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
October 8, 2020
Don Cook was a young Marine Corps Captain, stationed on Okinawa but on a 90-day temporary duty assignment in South Vietnam when he was captured by the Viet Cong near the town of Binh Gia. From his capture on December 31, 1964, to his death on or about December 8, 1967, Cook was held in a number of primitive prisoner of war (POW) camps in South Vietnam. He and his fellow POWs, mostly Army officers and enlisted soldiers and one US government civilian suffered mental, emotional, and some physical abuse, near-starvation diets, minimal medical care despite the ravages of many tropical diseases, and exposure to the elements.
Through it all, Cook held himself to the highest standards of moral, professional, and personal conduct, often placing the health and welfare of his fellow POWs ahead of his own. He finally succumbed to malaria during an arduous trek between camps. Based on the testimony of his fellow POWs, who either escaped, were released during the war, or were repatriated at the end of the US involvement in Vietnam, Cook was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. Later, a U.S. Navy destroyer, the USS Donald G. Cook, DDG-75, was named for him.
Author Donald L. Price, himself a retired Marine Colonel, used extensive interviews with family members, friends, Cook’s fellow POWs, senior military leaders, plus thorough research to put together this story of faith, courage, sacrifice, and almost unbreakable will to live. Readers will have no doubt that Cook fully earned the Medal.
While in many ways a well-told and gripping story, there is one thing I wish Price had done differently and two things I could have done with a lot less of. It would have been helpful to have more maps of South Vietnam. While those who served there would likely know the locations, or at least the general areas without having to refer to a map, those of us who came after need maps to place the events and story line in proper context. The one such map is buried in the middle of the book, rather than being placed at the beginning or end where it would have been easier to find and refer to.
Price also spends, to this reader’s mind, far too much time extolling the virtues of Cook’s Catholic upbringing and schooling, and on almost lecturing the reader on how an aspect of Cook’s behavior exemplified some aspect of the Code of Conduct or of one of the Corps’ leadership principles. Writers are taught to “show, don’t tell,” but Price occasionally interrupts the narrative to tell the reader what was already evident. His sometimes gushing, almost fawning praise for Captain Cook made it seem that the author felt Cook’s actions alone weren’t enough for the reader to understand the magnitude of what he was doing. There were times when this was so heavy-handed I seriously considered a much lower rating for the entire book.
In the end, though, it’s not the author’s story-telling style and practices that carry the day, but Cook’s selfless and courageous, “above and beyond the call of duty” behavior that earned the book’s 4-star rating.
I highly recommend this book for all Vietnam veterans, especially Marines, and for military members of all Services interested in the history of that war or of examples of leadership in extremis. I also recommend it for civilians who have no experience with or understanding of what military personnel face, especially should the find themselves in situations like Cook’s and his fellow prisoners’. For this readership, this biography will be a real eye-opener.
Through it all, Cook held himself to the highest standards of moral, professional, and personal conduct, often placing the health and welfare of his fellow POWs ahead of his own. He finally succumbed to malaria during an arduous trek between camps. Based on the testimony of his fellow POWs, who either escaped, were released during the war, or were repatriated at the end of the US involvement in Vietnam, Cook was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. Later, a U.S. Navy destroyer, the USS Donald G. Cook, DDG-75, was named for him.
Author Donald L. Price, himself a retired Marine Colonel, used extensive interviews with family members, friends, Cook’s fellow POWs, senior military leaders, plus thorough research to put together this story of faith, courage, sacrifice, and almost unbreakable will to live. Readers will have no doubt that Cook fully earned the Medal.
While in many ways a well-told and gripping story, there is one thing I wish Price had done differently and two things I could have done with a lot less of. It would have been helpful to have more maps of South Vietnam. While those who served there would likely know the locations, or at least the general areas without having to refer to a map, those of us who came after need maps to place the events and story line in proper context. The one such map is buried in the middle of the book, rather than being placed at the beginning or end where it would have been easier to find and refer to.
Price also spends, to this reader’s mind, far too much time extolling the virtues of Cook’s Catholic upbringing and schooling, and on almost lecturing the reader on how an aspect of Cook’s behavior exemplified some aspect of the Code of Conduct or of one of the Corps’ leadership principles. Writers are taught to “show, don’t tell,” but Price occasionally interrupts the narrative to tell the reader what was already evident. His sometimes gushing, almost fawning praise for Captain Cook made it seem that the author felt Cook’s actions alone weren’t enough for the reader to understand the magnitude of what he was doing. There were times when this was so heavy-handed I seriously considered a much lower rating for the entire book.
In the end, though, it’s not the author’s story-telling style and practices that carry the day, but Cook’s selfless and courageous, “above and beyond the call of duty” behavior that earned the book’s 4-star rating.
I highly recommend this book for all Vietnam veterans, especially Marines, and for military members of all Services interested in the history of that war or of examples of leadership in extremis. I also recommend it for civilians who have no experience with or understanding of what military personnel face, especially should the find themselves in situations like Cook’s and his fellow prisoners’. For this readership, this biography will be a real eye-opener.
May 24, 2024
I’ve read many books in my life; this book had to be written. As a Marine Corps veteran it was very tough to read; but also difficult not to read and learn. This should be required reading for all students in educational institutions with any military training. Anyone who wants to learn about the true definition of leadership should also read it. Well done
May 8, 2015
Colonel Don Price has written an excellent account of some little known heroic events of the Vietnam War. "The First Marine Captured in Vietnam-The Biography of Donald G. Cook," is first what the title states and much, much more.
Price blends big picture history with the details of Cook’s life from his birth until he was captured in Vietnam. This was both a labor of love and duty for Colonel Price who is justifiably proud of his service with the Marine Corps and who remembers that Donald Cook followed him into the same Vietnamese Marine Corps battalion that he had served with the year before Cook was captured.
Besides Captain Cook, you will meet Harold Bennett, a hard-charging Special Forces sergeant who was kicked out of his SF unit for punching out an officer and was captured while advising a Vietnamese Ranger company. Captured with Sergeant Bennett is PFC Charles Crafts, a draftee who carries Bennett's radio and who will, at great personal risk, carry hidden letters to the families of his fellow captives when he is released for propaganda purposes.
In what could only be charitably described as improbable, is the true story of Donald Dawson, a civilian who left his family in California and came to Vietnam to search for his brother, an Army pilot shot down and missing. Captured in War Zone D with his pretty Eurasian interpreter, he joins the other POWs in their jungle camp.
Four SF troopers, one of whom was SFC Isaac Camacho, on his second tour in Vietnam and playing a cat and mouse game with one of his captors, a VC in the camp who had been with him on his first tour at a CIDG camp where Camacho had taught him how to use a mortar. His captor had defected to the VC and now was trying to determine if Camacho was with him then. Camacho devised a kind of spy tradecraft to communicate with Cook and passed at least thirty messages back and forth using recognition signals and dead-drops. Camacho supported Cook’s leadership in the camp and also divulged his plan for an escape which Cook totally supported.
The story how Captain Cook resisted interrogation and the brain washing attempts is a perfect illustration of how to apply the Code of Conduct to near impossible situations. Providing a sterling example to the rest of the POWs, he established his leadership among them far better than any words could. In doing so he even won the respect of his captors. Cook was a man of faith and when threatened with execution told the man holding a pistol to his head that, “Only God can decide when I die.”
After several of the prisoners are executed in retaliation for the execution of VC by the South Vietnamese government and another dies of malnutrition and disease in the camp, Cook meets another American civilian, Douglas Ramsey, a captured USAID worker suspected of being a CIA officer. They became close companions.
After Camacho escapes the rest of the POWs are forced to move. Two of the prisoners, both SF troopers are released for propaganda purposes and both give accounts of Cook's resistance, leadership, and adherence to the Code of Conduct.
Another POW joined them in the person of Sergeant Norman Womack, the lone survivor of a 25th Infantry Division ambush patrol. Womack was another tough nut and when the VC asked him how to stop the war, he suggested B-52 strikes on North Vietnam. Womack became close to Captain Cook and assisted him on another long march that took them to Bu Dop close to the Cambodian border. Shortly afterward, Craft and Womack were released and brought letters and accounts of Cook, Ramsey and the other POWs.
Back in the states, Donald Cook's wife and children waited with uncertainty as the years past. Three Commandants of the Marine Corps insured that the Cook family was taken care of during this long ordeal. Cook's only letter had reached her and the other POWs had assured her that he was alive. In 1970 the VC released a list of POWs who had died in confinement and Cook's name was on it. Still hopeful, Mrs. Cook waited to see her husband released with the other POWs after the Paris Peace Accords were signed.
The Marine Corps compiled all the accounts of Donald Cook's heroism in captivity and Cook was awarded the Medal of Honor. His children inventoried his footlockers and in a briefcase found a letter two them written by their father just before he went to Vietnam.
Donald Cook's essence is contained in that letter which is quoted in its entirety. I was overwhelmed by this account of an unknown American hero who’s story does much to legitimize our efforts to bring freedom to South Vietnam. There were many battles fought on that bloody ground but Donald Cook and his companions upheld the honor of their country as much as any of the other men whose names are recognized by their country. This book should be required reading for any service member who aspires to leadership in the armed forces.
Gregory H. Murry
MSG, U.S. Army (Ret)
Price blends big picture history with the details of Cook’s life from his birth until he was captured in Vietnam. This was both a labor of love and duty for Colonel Price who is justifiably proud of his service with the Marine Corps and who remembers that Donald Cook followed him into the same Vietnamese Marine Corps battalion that he had served with the year before Cook was captured.
Besides Captain Cook, you will meet Harold Bennett, a hard-charging Special Forces sergeant who was kicked out of his SF unit for punching out an officer and was captured while advising a Vietnamese Ranger company. Captured with Sergeant Bennett is PFC Charles Crafts, a draftee who carries Bennett's radio and who will, at great personal risk, carry hidden letters to the families of his fellow captives when he is released for propaganda purposes.
In what could only be charitably described as improbable, is the true story of Donald Dawson, a civilian who left his family in California and came to Vietnam to search for his brother, an Army pilot shot down and missing. Captured in War Zone D with his pretty Eurasian interpreter, he joins the other POWs in their jungle camp.
Four SF troopers, one of whom was SFC Isaac Camacho, on his second tour in Vietnam and playing a cat and mouse game with one of his captors, a VC in the camp who had been with him on his first tour at a CIDG camp where Camacho had taught him how to use a mortar. His captor had defected to the VC and now was trying to determine if Camacho was with him then. Camacho devised a kind of spy tradecraft to communicate with Cook and passed at least thirty messages back and forth using recognition signals and dead-drops. Camacho supported Cook’s leadership in the camp and also divulged his plan for an escape which Cook totally supported.
The story how Captain Cook resisted interrogation and the brain washing attempts is a perfect illustration of how to apply the Code of Conduct to near impossible situations. Providing a sterling example to the rest of the POWs, he established his leadership among them far better than any words could. In doing so he even won the respect of his captors. Cook was a man of faith and when threatened with execution told the man holding a pistol to his head that, “Only God can decide when I die.”
After several of the prisoners are executed in retaliation for the execution of VC by the South Vietnamese government and another dies of malnutrition and disease in the camp, Cook meets another American civilian, Douglas Ramsey, a captured USAID worker suspected of being a CIA officer. They became close companions.
After Camacho escapes the rest of the POWs are forced to move. Two of the prisoners, both SF troopers are released for propaganda purposes and both give accounts of Cook's resistance, leadership, and adherence to the Code of Conduct.
Another POW joined them in the person of Sergeant Norman Womack, the lone survivor of a 25th Infantry Division ambush patrol. Womack was another tough nut and when the VC asked him how to stop the war, he suggested B-52 strikes on North Vietnam. Womack became close to Captain Cook and assisted him on another long march that took them to Bu Dop close to the Cambodian border. Shortly afterward, Craft and Womack were released and brought letters and accounts of Cook, Ramsey and the other POWs.
Back in the states, Donald Cook's wife and children waited with uncertainty as the years past. Three Commandants of the Marine Corps insured that the Cook family was taken care of during this long ordeal. Cook's only letter had reached her and the other POWs had assured her that he was alive. In 1970 the VC released a list of POWs who had died in confinement and Cook's name was on it. Still hopeful, Mrs. Cook waited to see her husband released with the other POWs after the Paris Peace Accords were signed.
The Marine Corps compiled all the accounts of Donald Cook's heroism in captivity and Cook was awarded the Medal of Honor. His children inventoried his footlockers and in a briefcase found a letter two them written by their father just before he went to Vietnam.
Donald Cook's essence is contained in that letter which is quoted in its entirety. I was overwhelmed by this account of an unknown American hero who’s story does much to legitimize our efforts to bring freedom to South Vietnam. There were many battles fought on that bloody ground but Donald Cook and his companions upheld the honor of their country as much as any of the other men whose names are recognized by their country. This book should be required reading for any service member who aspires to leadership in the armed forces.
Gregory H. Murry
MSG, U.S. Army (Ret)
April 12, 2016
Every Marine knows the stories of Marine legends Daly, Butler and Puller. A fourth hero should be added to this honored USMC list: Col. Donald Cook who was the first Marine taken captive in Vietnam and the ONLY one to earn the Medal of Honor for service in captivity. Sadly, Don Cook died in captivity. This wonderful book is very well written by its author who also served as a Marine officer. This is an Outstanding book!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews