Albert D. Cooley

Albert Dustin Cooley (October 11, 1900 – December 10, 1976) was a highly decorated Naval aviator of the

Albert D. Cooley was born on October 11, 1900, in

He was designated a naval aviator in January 1929 and served during the next four years with Marine Squadron San Diego, as an instructor at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida and as executive officer of Marine Squadron aboard the aircraft carrier USS Lexington.^[1]

Cooley returned to San Diego in August 1933 and served again as a squadron commander and later as group operations officer. He reached the rank of

Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, Cooley was promoted to the rank of major and assumed command of newly activated Marine Aircraft Group 14 at Camp Kearny, California in March of the following year. He spent the next six months with training of his squadron and subsequently embarked for the South Pacific in August 1942. Cooley was meanwhile promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel in May of that year.^[1]

Cooley and his squadron arrived as a part of

After months of strenuous combat had seriously depleted the number of men and amount of equipment, Lieutenant Colonel Cooley reorganized and skillfully built up the strength of his command. Leading a group of dive bombers and fighters on 12 October in a determined raid against enemy destroyers, he gallantly pressed home the attack, personally scoring a hit on one of the Japanese ships. On 14 October, with all but one of his planes put out of commission by terrific fire from enemy surface vessels, Lieutenant Colonel Cooley, in spite of intermittent bombing and shellfire from hostile artillery, worked tirelessly to direct the repair of damaged planes, with the result that twelve additional aircraft were placed in commission on that day in time to strike repeatedly at the enemy ship-borne invasion forces. Again from 11 to 15 November the Aviation Units under his command attacked the Japanese, destroying two cruisers, seven airplanes, and twelve transports contributing in great part to the success of our engagement in that area. Lieutenant Colonel Cooley's exceptional skill, leadership, and indomitable fighting spirit were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.^[3]

Later service during World War II

In January 1943, Cooley was appointed Supply officer of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing and also commanded simultaneously his old Marine Aircraft Group 14 until April of that year. He was promoted to the rank of colonel at the same time and ordered back to the United States, because Major General Geiger, 1st Marine Wing commander, was appointed Director of Marine Corps Aviation at Headquarters Marine Corps in Washington, D.C., and requested Cooley as his deputy.^[1]

He served as assistant director of Marine Corps Aviation until October 1944, when he was ordered to Marine Corps Air Station Santa Barbara, California, and appointed commander of newly activated Marine Carrier Groups, Aircraft, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific. In this capacity, Cooley directed the training and organization of Marine aircraft groups for close air support missions from navy carriers and subsequently received the Bronze Star Medal for this service.^[1][4]

Cooley was subsequently appointed commanding officer of Marine Air Support Group 48 in February 1945 and sailed again to the Pacific Area in May of that year. He commanded elements of his air group during the

In September, 1945, before the Japanese surrendered

Colonel Cooley was ordered back to the United States and attached to the Senior Course at Naval War College in June 1946 and graduated one year later. He was then again appointed to the post of assistant director of Marine Corps aviation under Major General Field Harris and remained in that capacity until May 1948, when he assumed command of Marine Corps Air Station Quantico. In early 1950, Cooley was appointed commanding officer of the Junior School at Quantico, and while in that capacity, he was promoted to the rank of brigadier general in December 1950.

In April 1951, Cooley was appointed assistant director of Marine Corps aviation for the third time and served under Major General

He was ordered to Korea in December 1953 where he assumed command of 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. Cooley and his wing did not see much combat and took part only in patrolling along the Korean Demilitarized Zone. He returned to the United States at the beginning of April 1954 and after several months of medical leave, Cooley retired from the Marine Corps after 33 years of active service in August of that year. He was advanced to the rank of lieutenant general on the retired list for having been specially commended in combat.^[2][1]

Retirement

Following his retirement from the military, Cooley settled with his wife in

Decorations

Here is the ribbon bar of Lieutenant General Albert D. Cooley:

Naval Aviator Badge
1st Row	Navy Cross						Bronze Star Medal					Air Medal
2nd Row	Navy Presidential Unit Citation with one star				Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal				American Defense Service Medal with "A" Device				American Campaign Medal
3rd Row	Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with four 3/16 inch service stars				World War II Victory Medal				China Service Medal				Navy Occupation Service Medal
4th Row	National Defense Service Medal				Korean Service Medal				Philippine Liberation Medal				United Nations Korea Medal

Military offices
Preceded by Vernon E. Megee	Commanding Officer of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing December 8, 1953 - March 1954	Succeeded by Verne J. McCaul

See also

• Battle of Guadalcanal
• Naval Battle of Guadalcanal
• 1st Marine Aircraft Wing
• List of 1st Marine Aircraft Wing Commanders

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Marine Corps.