Nicholas Scott Cook
Private First Class, U.S. Army

Nicholas Scott Cook enlisted in the U.S. Army in April of 2009 After completing his Basic and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Benning, GA, he also completed the Airborne School at Fort Benning.

On 7 March 2010, then-Private First Class Nicholas Scott Cook was serving as a Machine Gunner with Company B, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, based at Camp Ederle, Italy, while deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

During a battle that day, PFC Cook aggressively took the fight to the enemy, executed all tasks with extreme precision and saved the lives of several Soldiers. PFC Cook's dedication to duty and personal courage in combat in combat were instrumental to the achievement of the mission. PFC Cook's courageous actions that day earned him, at the cost of his life, the U.S. Army's third highest award for valor, the Silver Star Medal.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Silver Star Medal
Bronze Service Medal
Purple Heart
Army Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Star
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Army Service Ribbon
Army Overseas Service Ribbon
NATO ISAF Medal
Combat Infantryman Badge
Parachutist Badge

Silver Star Medal Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class Nicholas S. Cook, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in connection with military operations against an armed hostile force while assigned to Battle Company, 2d Battalion, 503d Parachute Infantry Regiment, 173d Airborne Brigade, as a machine gunner in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM in Afghanistan on 7 March 2010. Private First Class Cook aggressively took the fight to the enemy, executed all tasks with extreme precision and saved the lives of several Soldiers. His dedication to duty and personal courage in combat in combat were instrumental to the accomplishment of the mission. Private First Class Cook's actions reflect credit on himself, Task Force ROCK, Task Force BAYONET, combined Joint Task Force 101 and the United States Army.

Burial

Private First Class Nicholas Scott Cook is buried at Woodlawn Cemetery in Columbia Falls, Flathead County, MT.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/49522383/nicholas-scott-cook