The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Wendell L. Cook, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4D Aircraft Commander of the 25th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action over Laos on 29 July 1970. On that dated mission, Captain Cook attacked numerous active gun positions during a rescue effort to recover a downed pilot. After completely devastating the hostile defenses and laying preventative mines along the path of the recover force, the way was clear for the ultimately successful recovery of the downed pilot who had narrowly escaped capture by hostile forces. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Cook reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Wendell L. Cook, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4D Aircraft Commander of the 352d Tactical Fighter Squadron, Phan Rang Air Base, South Vietnam, in action over Southeast Asia on 2 May 1970. On that date, Captain Cook struck a vital storage area deep within a heavily defended hostile area. Making only one dive bomb pass against the target, Captain Cook completely destroyed the storage complex causing several sustained fires and secondary explosions. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Cook reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to First Lieutenant Wendell L. Cook, United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an F-100 pilot of the 352d Tactical Fighter Squadron, Phan Rang Air Base, South Vietnam, in action near Cu Chi, Republic of Vietnam, on 15 April 1969. On that date, Lieutenant Cook flew his F-100 in support of American ground forces engaged in defense of their beleaguered outpost. In the face of heavy ground fire, night visibility restrictions due to fog and low overcast, poor flare conditions, and extremely close proximity of friendly troops, Lieutenant Cook pressed each attack with devastating effectiveness. The outstanding heroism and selfless dcc displayed by Lieutenant Cook reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.