Capt. Lawrence Blanchard Cook was born in Lowell, Mass. on Sept. 13, 1907. After attending the U.S. Naval Academy Prepartory School, he was appointed to the Naval Academy in June, 1927. He was commissioned an ensign in June, 1931.
From July, 1931, until June, 1938, he had duty on the following Naval vessels: USS Herbert (gunnery officer); USS King (communications officer); USS Northampton (gunnery officer); USS Argonne (gunnery officer).
He became an instructor in the Department of English, History and Government at the Naval Academy from July, 1938 until October, 1939. In November of that year, he helped fit out USS McCalla, and after its commissioning, he became the ship's first executive officer. In October, 1940, McCalla was turned over to the British government in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and he transferred to USS Howard as executive officer. In February, 1942, he assumed command of Howard.
He next attended the Sound School in Key West, Fla, in 1943 and then reported for duty at the Navy Yard, Boston, to fit out another warship -- USS Newcomb. He became the first commanding officer of Newcomb and the ship left for the Pacific.
For his services on Newcomb, Capt. Cook received the Navy Cross, the Bronze Star Medal and a Gold Star in lieu of a second Bronze Star Medal.
From October, 1945 to December, 1946, Capt. Cook's official biography indicates he was hospitalized, but the reasons were not listed.
In January,1947, he began a two-year tour as director of Public Information (Pers-16) at the Bureau of Personnel. In 1949, he was a student at the Armed Forces Staff College.
His next tour of duty was again at the Bureau of Personnel from August, 1951 to May, 1953.
He then spent one year as commanding officer on USS New Kent and then reported to the Naval War College from 1954 to 1957. In June, 1957, he became squadron commander of commander, Destroyer Squadron 30 and in October, 1958, he became chief of staff and aide for commander, Destroyer Force, Atlantic.
October of 1959 brought Capt. Cook to San Diego where he became the commanding officer of the Administrative Command before becomming center commander in July, 1960. He retired from Naval service on July 1, 1961.
In addition to his Navy Cross and Bronze Star, Capt. Cook also received the American Defense Service Medal, Fleet Clasp; the European-African-Middle Eastern Area Campaign Medal; the American Area Campaign Medal; the Asiatic-Pacific Area Campaign Medal; the World War II Victory Meday; and the National Defense Service Medal.
No information is available on Capt. Cook after 1961. If anyone has any further information on his career following the Navy or his date of death, please contact the webmaster.
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