Donald G. Cook Explained

Donald G. Cook
Birth Date:13 August 1946[1]
Placeofburial Label:Place of burial
Allegiance:United States of America
Branch:United States Air Force
Serviceyears:1969–2005
Rank:General
Commands:Air Education and Training Command
20th Air Force
45th Space Wing
21st Space Wing
Awards:Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
Legion of Merit (2)
Laterwork:Board of Directors, Burlington Northern Santa Fe

Donald Graham Cook[2] (born August 13, 1946) is a retired United States Air Force four-star general who served as commander, Air Education and Training Command at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas from 2001 to 2005.

Cook entered the Air Force in 1969 through the ROTC program at Michigan State University. He completed undergraduate pilot training at Williams Air Force Base, Arizona. He has commanded a flying training wing, two space wings and the 20th Air Force. He has served as Legislative Liaison in the Senate Liaison Office, on the staff of the House Armed Services Committee, and as director for expeditionary aerospace force implementation at U.S. Air Force headquarters. Prior to assuming command of Air Education and Training Command, he was assigned to Air Combat Command as vice commander. He is a command pilot and has flown more than 3,300 hours in the B-52D/G/H, T-37B and T-38A.

After retirement, Cook was elected to the board of directors of Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation, Crane Corporation, HawkerBeechcraft Corporation and USAA Federal Savings Bank.[3]

Education

Assignments

Flight information

Awards and decorations

Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
Legion of Merit with two bronze oak leaf clusters
Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with two bronze oak leaf clusters
Combat Readiness Medal
National Defense Service Medal with two bronze service stars
Air Force Longevity Service Award with silver and two bronze oak leaf clusters
Air Force Training Ribbon

Effective dates of promotion

Personal

Daughter Stephanie Cook Griffin, Son Christopher Cook [4]

Notes and References

  1. Book: January 1, 1979. 164. Air Force Register. Washington, D.C.. U.S. Government Printing Office. .
  2. Book: Commencement 1969 . June 8, 1969 . 55 . Michigan State University . East Lansing, Michigan . 2021-05-27.
  3. Web site: BNSF Elects Air Force Gen. Donald G. Cook (Ret.) To Its Board . 2007-08-15 . https://web.archive.org/web/20091231195355/http://bnsf.com/media/news/articles/2005/09/2005-09-15a.html . 2009-12-31 . dead .
  4. Book: Register 1926–1955 . Olivet Presbyterian Church, Detroit, Michigan . June 22, 1947 . Presbyterian Historical Society . Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.