NAMES IN THE NEWS : Ace Pilot to Be Buried at Sea

In a first for the U.S. Navy, an ace pilot shot down over North Vietnam in 1967 will be buried at sea Monday from the Navy ship that bears his name. Lt. Cmdr. Wilmer Paul Cook disappeared while leading an air strike and was listed as missing in action for 21 years.

A frigate commissioned in 1971 was christened the USS Cook, in honor of the three-time Distinguished Flying Cross winner. The San Diego-based frigate will conduct Cook’s burial at sea. Cook’s remains, returned by the Vietnamese last December, were placed on board today in a ceremony attended by his two grown sons, Wilmer Jr. and John. “After 20-odd years, we never thought he’d be found,” said John.