Cook, Robert James
Male
Verified U.S. Army Specialist Robert James Cook, 24, of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, was killed in action on January 29, 2004, in Ghazni, Afghanistan.
Their Story
Robert James Cook was a 24-year-old specialist in the United States Army, assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division, based at Fort Drum, New York. He was from Sun Prairie, Wisconsin.
On January 29, 2004, Cook was killed during a combat operation in the Ghazni province of Afghanistan. According to the U.S. Department of Defense, his unit was conducting a patrol when it came under enemy small-arms fire.
Cook's death occurred during Operation Enduring Freedom, the U.S.-led military campaign in Afghanistan that began in October 2001. By early 2004, the initial phase of major combat had ended, but U.S. and allied forces were engaged in counterinsurgency operations against a resurgent Taliban and other militant groups.
Cook was one of two U.S. soldiers killed in the same engagement. The Army posthumously awarded him the Bronze Star Medal and Purple Heart. His remains were returned to the United States for burial.
He is memorialized on the 10th Mountain Division memorial at Fort Drum and on the Afghanistan War Memorial in his hometown of Sun Prairie. His name is also inscribed on Panel 19W, Line 12 of the Afghanistan Veterans Memorial Wall at the National Infantry Museum.
Explore Further
Cook was killed during Operation Enduring Freedom (2001?2014). The conflict concluded in December 2014. See the full roster of those killed in this conflict.
Among those documented in the same conflict: Santos, Dave Michael Maliksi, Andrews, Evander Earl, Edmunds, Jonn Joseph, Stonesifer, Kristofor Tif.
