The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Captain Creighton William Cook (NSN: 0-282830), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. KEARSARGE (CVS-33), during the period of 12 October 1967 to 22 March 1968. Captain Cook, through inspirational leadership and untiring personal effort in guiding his ship and crew, contributed immeasurably to the military effort in Vietnam. His embarked Air Group was the first to deploy on an Anti-submarine Warfare Carrier with the BULLPUP missile capability and under Captain Cook’s guidance proved their worth time and again against North Vietnamese waterborne logistic craft. As Commanding Officer of the Flagship of the Surface Sub-surface Surveillance Coordinator in the Gulf of Tonkin, Captain Cook was responsible for maintaining 24-hour surveillance of the Tonkin Gulf, for extended periods of up to 20 consecutive days, in order to alert United States Naval Forces to any threat. Captain Cook’s enthusiasm, initiative, professional skill and exceptional leadership were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Captain Creighton William Cook (NSN: 0-282830), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service as the Deputy Inspector General, U.S. Pacific Fleet, from March 1970 to June 1971; and as Inspector General, U.S. Pacific Fleet from June 1971 to May 1973. Captain Cook’s vast professional knowledge, analytical ability, capacity for original thought and executive skills were of invaluable assistance to the Commander in Chief. Serving as Chief Inspector during Command Inspections of the Pacific Fleet numbered Fleet Commanders, Type Commanders and Area Commanders, he consistently demonstrated a personal dedication to addressing forthrightly and resolving the complex problems and areas of difficulty which are inherent to a command as large and as functionally diverse as the Pacific Fleet. Captain Cook’s exceptional professionalism, leadership and managerial abilities served to motivate the members of Command Inspection teams, so that the subordinate commands received maximum benefits from their inspections. His superior performance based on his professional experience as an officer qualified in submarines and as a naval aviator, together with his outstanding managerial and executive qualities, was a distinct credit to himself and the Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet, and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.