Georgetown Honors WWII Pilot Charles McCook After 82 Years Missing in Action

The Texas Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) held a heartfelt memorial service in Georgetown to honor First Lieutenant Charles W. McCook, a WWII pilot who was declared missing in action for over eight decades before his remains were finally recovered. McCook, affectionately known as 'Woody,' was killed when his B-25C Mitchell aircraft crashed in Burma in 1943 at the age of 23. Recent DNA analysis and scientific methods confirmed his identity, allowing his remains to be returned home. The funeral ceremony took place at the IOOF Cemetery, where VFW officials and community members gathered to pay tribute. Texas VFW District 29 Commander Casey Wade emphasized the significance of never leaving service members behind, stating, "We honor those lost overseas who are finally brought back to their hometowns." The service featured a motorcycle procession, a missing man formation flyover, and full military honors. Sergeant John Boyd, a survivor of the crash, acknowledged McCook's bravery, recalling how he credited him with saving his life during the ill-fated mission. The event served as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by service members, past and present, and reinforced the importanc...