[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 59 (Thursday, April 12, 2018)]
[House]
[Page H3159]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            HONORING THE LIFE OF SERGEANT JACK COLEMAN COOK

  (Mr. NADLER asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, like Mr. Westerman, I rise today to 
recognize the heroic actions taken by 384th Bomb Group ball turret 
gunner Jack Coleman Cook of Hot Springs, Arkansas, during a World War 
II mission.
  Selflessly, Sergeant Cook gave his life to save the life of his 
fellow airmen, including my constituent, First Lieutenant Edward Field, 
a veteran and poet from Brooklyn, New York. On February 3, 1945, in a 
bombing mission over Berlin, Sergeant Cook showed us what true heroism 
looks like.
  After their B-17 bomber crashed into the North Sea, the crewmembers 
were forced to inflate two life rafts. Unfortunately, only one raft was 
able to fully inflate, leaving two men, Lieutenant Field and another 
crewmember, in the frigid water.
  After they had spent about 30 minutes in the water, Sergeant Cook 
gave up his spot in the raft for Lieutenant Field, who had become numb. 
Sergeant Cook then swam in the freezing water to the other raft, which 
was only partially inflated. Unfortunately, he died before a British 
vessel could come and rescue them.
  In his poem, ``World War II,'' Lieutenant Field honored the 
incredible sacrifice made by Sergeant Cook, recognizing that his 
survival is entwined with the spirit born from another hero's 
sacrifice.
  It is my distinct honor today to commemorate the American heroes who 
bravely served our country, in this case, Sergeant Jack Coleman Cook 
and First Lieutenant Edward Field.

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