Georgetown, TX: Last Saturday, August 2nd, Georgetown, Texas, witnessed a poignant moment in history as First Lieutenant Charles “Woody” McCook was laid to rest with full military honors, 82 years after his tragic death during World War II.
McCook, a Southwestern University graduate, was a pilot with the U.S. Army Air Forces. He was just 23 years old when he was killed on August 3, 1943, during a bombing mission over Burma. His B-25C Mitchell bomber was struck by enemy fire, but McCook’s bravery allowed two crew members to parachute to safety before the plane crashed.
For his actions, McCook was posthumously awarded the Air Medal, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Purple Heart. He was remembered as a hero who gave his life to protect others.
The Journey to Bring Him Home
After the war, McCook was listed as missing in action. It wasn’t until many years later that his remains were identified through a rigorous process. In 2022, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) exhumed a set of remains found in 1947 in Burma. Advanced DNA testing confirmed McCook’s identity on April 18, 2025.
On August 2, 2025, the Georgetown community honored McCook’s life and service with a procession that spanned the town. The ceremony included a flyover, a 21-gun salute, and a flag-lined route, culminating at IOOF Cemetery, where McCook was laid to rest next to his parents. The town came together to remember McCook’s courage and to celebrate his return after so many years.
McCook’s name was also added to the Walls of the Missing at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, symbolizing the successful identification of the pilot who had been lost to history for over 80 years. The ceremony was a final tribute to a man who had long been forgotten, but whose memory was cherished by the community he had once called home.
Comments