COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - A 100-year-old war veteran received an honor and thanks from a Midlands organization just days before Veterans Day.

At 100 years old, Cook remembers his time of service clearly.

“Back in 1943, we were a pretty patriotic country, and just about all the young guys, they were in service and wanted to do what they could,” Cook said.

Cook flew 35 missions as a ball turret gunner during World War II, a dangerous job that required servicemen to man the defense system under the aircraft. Oftentimes, Cook would go up in the air without a parachute because it couldn’t fit on the plane.

“I mean, all I knew about was hearing about the horrors of what could happen to a ball turret gunner. Kind of frightening,” Cook said.

Cook was made an honorary life member of the Garden Cl

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