The 35th Infantry Regiment Association salutes our fallen brother, SSG Austin Bruce Cook, who died in the service of his country on July 17th, 1967 in Quang Ngai Province, Vietnam. The cause of death was listed as Booby Trap. At the time of his death Austin was 24 years of age. He was from Alameda, California. Austin is honored on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Panel 23E, Line 82.

The decorations earned by SSG Austin Bruce Cook include: the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Bronze Star with V, the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation.

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Austin is buried at Chapel of The Chimes Cemetery, Oakland, CA

Hi Dick, Thanks for the reply. Austin Cook was my best friend. I came back from R&R to find out that "Cookie" had been killed. As I remember, he only had a few weeks to go - he should never have been out in the bush. What I remember is that he was a funny "smart ass" with freckles everywhere. He actually bought a monkey in Pleiku which turned out be a predictable disaster. He made Staff Sergeant (E-6) when he came in first in Recondo School. Not bad for a two-year GI. He was a good soldier and a good friend. Now that I know his burial site I hope to visit in Oakland CA.


Joe (Giuseppe) Facciolla HHC 1st 35th cfacciolla@hotmail.com