COOK, Howard "Howie" Clifford, BEM, CD. December 2, 1921 - April 22, 2011 It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Howard Cook; beloved father, husband, grandfather and great-grandfather. Howie passed away in Calgary, the city of his birth, on April 22nd, 2011. Howie lived a life of purpose, passion, and commitment to his country and family. At sixteen years of age, Howie enlisted in the Canadian Militia, Royal Canadian Corps of Signals, and in 1939 entered the Canadian Active Service Force. He was a veteran paratrooper and career military man of thirty-one years; serving in WW II, the Korean War, UN peacekeeper in the Middle East and as a member of the 1948 Cannon Turner rescue mission. Howard's military decorations included the British Empire Medal (BEM), Canadian Voluntary Service Medal and Clasp, War Medal 1939-45, Korea Medal, United Nations Service Medal, United Nations Emergency Force Medal, and the Canadian Forces Decoration with Clasp (CD). In 1946 Howard was awarded the symbol "P" as one of Canada's first Qualified Parachutists. After his retirement, he was Commanding Officer of the 2551 Canadian Airborne Cadet Corps in Edmonton. He concluded his military involvement as Honourary Lieutenant Colonel of the 745 Edmonton Communication Squadron. Howie was an avid sportsman, loyal friend, mentor and dedicated family man known for his generosity, kindness and patriotism.
4 October 1947 OPERATION CANON. Sgt H.C. Cook and Sgt W.W. Judd, radio operators, were part of a team that parachuted into Moffat Inlet, Baffin Island to rescue Canon Turner, an Anglican missionary, who had accidently wounded himself on 24 September 1947. After many difficulties and weather induced delays Canon Turner was evacuated from an improvised air strip by RCAF Dakota and taken to hospital in Winnipeg on 22 November 1947. He died of his injuries on 9 December 1947. Sgt Cook was awarded the British Empire Medal and Sgt Judd the Kings Commendation for their part in the rescue.
Excerpt from: 90 YEARS
AND COUNTING:
THE HISTORY OF CANADIAN MILITARY COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS
Captain John A. MacKenzie
