Joseph K. Cook was born in Indiana. He served in the 835th Bomber Squadron, 486th Bomb Group, as a Sergeant and Rear Gunner on the B-17 #43-38137 "Miss B Haven" during World War II. On October 15, 1944, during a mission to Cologne, Germany, his plane takeoff from Sudbury Airfield in Suffolk. But just after the took off, they experienced engine trouble, failing to gain height, and crashed near the end of the runway. All crew members were killed except the pilot.

SGT Cook is now buried in the Cambridge American Cemetery, Cambridge, United Kingdom.

B-17 #43-38137 crew: Pilot; 2lt., Clarence HERMANN. Injured, Survived.
Co-pilot; 2lt., Robert ETTER
Navigator; 2Lt., William ANNAN
Left Waist Gunner; Sgt., John JACKSON
Flight Engineer; S/Sgt., John SARTAIN
Bombardier; 2lt., Vernon MEIERHENRY
Ball Turret Gunner; Sgt., Ralph SPAULDING
Radio Operator; S/Sgt., Robert STONE
Rear Gunner; Sgt., Joseph COOK