Remembering PFC Nicholas Cook -KIA 7 March 2010, Kunar Province, Afghanistan

PFC Nicholas Cook

5 October 1990 - 7 March 2010

KIA Kunar Province, Afghanistan

PFC Nicholas Cook was laid to rest with full military honors at Woodlawn Cemetery in Columbia Falls, MT on Saturday 20 March 2010.

PFC Cook was killed by enemy small arms fire on 7 March 2010. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, Camp Ederle, Italy.

Nick was raised in Hungry Horse, MT by his grandparents Kathy and Charles Taylor. His grandmother, Kathy, said, ""He loved jumping out of airplanes. He said the best feeling was the three seconds before you jump." 

On his MySpace page Nick wrote, "Bein' up on a mountain with that (snow) board strapped on is home to me. Shakin' beyond the point of functioning then just goin' for it. Amazing feeling. The best feeling possible is that moment when the butterflies in your stomach carry you into that adrenaline rush. Its freedom, its when you can feel most alive." 

As a child Nick enjoyed playing with and showing his goats at the Flathead County Fair. He won several times in the pack goats and harness goats competition. Raising and showing goats was something that he enjoyed doing with his grandfather.

Soldiers with PFC Cook that fateful day had this to say about him:



173rd ABCT Commander, COL Jim Johnson had the following to say about PFC Cook:

"PFC Nicholas Cook selflessly enlisted in an Army at war and volunteered for one of the most demanding assignments; Airborne Infantryman." "PFC Cook answered his Nation's call and gave everything he had to a mission to bring security to the people of Afghanistan." "His service was with distinction and represented everything that the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team stands for."

PFC Cook's military awards and decorations include the Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Parachutist Badge, and the Combat Infantry Badge. PFC Cook was posthumous awarded the Purple Heart Medal and the Silver Star Medal.

Nick is survived by his grandparents Chuck and Kathy Taylor of Hungry Horse; brother Christopher Taylor of Hungry Horse; sister Melody Cook-Sotelo of Fresno; his little sister Jacklynn Sisney of Squaw Valley, Calif.; his mother Charlotte Martin and stepfather Robert Martin of Little Egg Harbor, N.J.; his father Jeffery Cook of Fresno; uncle and aunt Chuck and Beth Taylor of Minot, N.D.; aunt and uncle Nancy and Joe Davis of Marion; a great grandmother, many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins as well as legions of friends and fellow Soldiers.

Rest in Peace brave warrior. We will NEVER forget you or the sacrifice you made for our nation.

You can read more about PFC Cook here, here, here, here and here.