COOK, Sgt. Herbert Lee "Herb"
Source: The Indianapolis News Sat July 15, 1944 p 12
Crawfordsville, Ind July 15 – Sgt. Herbert L. Cook of Crawfordsville flight engineer was one of eight army airmen killed Thursday in the crash of a B-24 bomber in the mountains east of El Paso, Tex it was learned here Friday. Sgt Cook was the son of Alpha Cook of Fowler. He was born at Oxford and formerly lived at Lafayette. Sgt Cook’s widow, Mrs. Helen Michaels Cook and a brother, Jack Cook live in Crawfordsville. Another brother, Wesley cook and a sister, Mrs. Esther Grassmyer lived in Lafayette.
Source: El Paso Times Fri July 14, 1944 p 1
A second B-24 Biggs Field bomber which crashed in the wild mountain area about 25 miles northeast of the McNary bombing range at 1:13 a.m. Thursday brought to 16 the number of Army airmen killed in this area withing a 26-hour period. The first crash occurred at 11:07 p.m. Tuesday when another B-24 plunged into the side of Mt. Franklin killing 8 men. Reports of the second crash and identification of crew members were released by Col. Glen R. Birchard, base commander Thursday.
The dead are:
Second Lt William J. Johnson pilot Paris, Ky.
Second Lt. Robert G. Kraft, copilot, Wilmette, Ill.
Second Lt. Malverne C. Starmer, bombardier, Omaha, Neb.
Sgt. HERBERT L. COOK, flight engineer, Crawfordsville, Ind
Cpl. James W. Savage, radio operator, Chicago.
Cpl. Edward N. Bagley, gunner, Redding, Calif.
Pfc Francis X. Brown, gunner, Dorchestor, Mass.
Next of kin of the crash victims have been notified Biggs authorities announced. The Liberator bomber left Biggs Field earlier in the night on a routine combat training flight. It was 7:15 a.m. Thursday before the searching party from Biggs Field led by Allyn Peterson and Robert Gresham, US Immigration Border Patrolmen who are stationed at Fort Hancock reached the scene of the accident. To get to the plane, it was necessary for the two patrolmen to blaze a 20-mile trail through rout terrain. Leading the rescue party by 500 yards and using flashlights, the patrolmen traversed the 20 miles on foot. A board of Biggs Field officers has been appointed to determine the cause of the crash.