Algona Soldier Is Decorated in Italy
With the Fifth Army, Italy: Private First Class Elmer E. Cook, of Algona, recently was awarded the Bronze Star for heroic achievement in action with Lt. Gen. Mark W. Clarkâs Fifth Army in Italy.
During an approach march, the troops, which Cook was accompanying with his ambulance, were subject to an intense enemy artillery barrage. Several casualties were inflicted and a vehicle directly in front of the ambulance received a direct hit.
Cook left his position of comparative safety and with the aid of a comrade, secured a litter and evacuated a seriously wounded soldier during the height of the shelling.
The two men then returned to the ambulance and removed it from the area where it was attracting enemy artillery. On the way back they picked up another seriously wounded man.
Pfc. Elmer Cook is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Cook, Algona, and has been in the service since May, 1941, serving with a medical and ambulance corps. Following training at Camp Claiborne, he was sent to Ireland in January, 1942, and after 10 months there was assigned to the battle area in Northern Africa. He has been in the Italy area the past year.
Source: Algona Upper Des Moines, November 28, 1944
