News Summary
Charles Woodruff McCook, a 1st Lieutenant in the Army Air Forces, has been identified nearly 80 years after his disappearance during WWII. He was born in Georgetown, Texas, and went missing while on a bombing mission in Burma. His bravery, credited by a surviving crew member, ensured the safety of others during the crash. McCook’s remains were recently identified, providing closure to his family and allowing the community to honor his legacy. He will be laid to rest in Georgetown, highlighting the sacrifices of service members during the war.
Georgetown, Texas – Charles Woodruff McCook, an Army Air Forces 1st Lieutenant, has recently been identified nearly 80 years after his death during World War II. McCook, who was born and raised in Georgetown, Texas, was declared missing in action on August 3, 1943, while on a bombing raid in Meiktila, Burma, now known as Myanmar.
McCook was 23 years old at the time of the tragic incident. He was piloting a B-25C Mitchell aircraft when it was struck by enemy fire, leading to a crash that claimed the lives of McCook and three of his crew members. Two others from the flight survived the crash, but were captured by Japanese forces. One survivor credited McCook with heroic actions during the crisis, stating that he took self-sacrificing measures to help ensure the safety of the surviving crew members, allowing them to parachute to safety.
Following his graduation from Georgetown High School in 1937, McCook attended Southwestern University, where he earned a degree in business administration in 1941. During his time at university, he was an active student, joining the Kappa Alpha fraternity, participating in the men’s tennis and golf teams, and serving as the manager for the varsity football team. His contributions and leadership skills were evident both in academics and athletics.
Despite his bravery and commendable service, the story of McCook did not end with his initial declaration as missing in action. In 1947, the American Grave Registration Service conducted further investigations in Myanmar and uncovered four sets of remains in a common grave. These remains were originally interred as Unknowns at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, also known as the Punchbowl, located in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Decades later, in January 2022, the remains of these individuals were disinterred for comprehensive analysis. The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) utilized extensive dental, anthropological, and DNA analysis to confirm the identity of McCook on April 18, 2025. This identification not only provides closure to his family but also reestablishes his legacy within the annals of history.
Prior to this identification, McCook’s name was commemorated on the Walls of the Missing at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in the Philippines. A rosette will be placed next to his name to signify that he has now been accounted for, reflecting the ongoing efforts to honor and remember service members who have been lost in conflict.
In a fitting tribute to his service and sacrifice, McCook is scheduled to be laid to rest in Georgetown in August 2025, giving the community and his family a chance to honor his memory and contributions to the nation.
The case of Charles W. McCook serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by service members during the tumultuous years of World War II and the importance placed on uncovering the fates of those unaccounted for. Through continuous efforts by organizations and agencies dedicated to military history and the commemoration of fallen soldiers, his story has finally reached a conclusion, allowing for remembrance and celebration of his life.
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HERE Resources
Posthumous Burial for Lt. Charles W. McCook in Georgetown
Additional Resources
- Houston Chronicle
- Wikipedia: Charles Woodruff McCook
- CBS News
- Google Search: Charles W. McCook WWII
- Fox 7 Austin
- Google Scholar: Charles W. McCook WWII
- AOL News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Charles W. McCook
- KCEN-TV
- Google News: Charles W. McCook WWII
- Click2Houston
