Private First Class Cooke was serving with the First Marines on Okinawa, having taken part in the invasion of that island, and was killed on May 18, 1945.
Pfc. Edwin Corliss Cooke was the son of Mr. and Mrs. M. C. Cooke, 108 west Twenty-Fourth street, Newton, Kansas, and their eldest child. He was 22 years of age in March 1945, and spent most of his life in Wichita until 1943 when the family moved to Newton. Mr. Cooke was transferred here in the railway mail service. The young lad, who was a fine upright youth, left for the service in March, 1944, and in September was sent overseas. His last letter home was written May 16th in which he told of the invasion of Okinawa.
The Silver Star medal has been awarded posthumously. The citation accompanying the medal read:
“For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving in a platoon of Company A, First Battalion, Fifth Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces at Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, on 10 May, 1945.”
Private First Class Cooke risked his life to carry another Marine 200 yards through shell-fire to safety. The unit had withdrawn to a less exposed position when Cooke learned of the wounded comrade and returned to him through barrage of mortar and machine gun crossfire.
The citation was extended by the President through James Forrestal, Secretary of the Navy.
In addition to his parents, Pfc. Cooke is survived by four brothers and four sisters, namely: Richard J., RT 3rd class who served in the Navy; Michael, Joseph, Patrick, Margaret, Catherine, Rita Marie and Eva Jean (May 19, 1945). (c) Harvey County Genealogical Society.
