[DADoser]

I just heard about this last week from a veteran at my church who flew with Cook Cleland in WWII with VB-16 off the USS Lexington. In addition to his distinguished military service - he was one of only 2 two-time winners of the Thompson Trophy (1947 and 1949) flying super corsairs.




Obituary: Cook Cleland, 90, famous aviator during times of war and peace

Wednesday, July 18, 2007Dan X. McGrawPlain Dealer Reporter

Navy pilot Cook Cleland became a war hero in the 1950s by relaying stories of dangerous bombing and rescue missions to Cleveland residents through his letters home from the front line.

The letters, which were given to The Plain Dealer by his family, told of the 13 men that he lost during his tour in Korea, and his brush with death as his plane was shot down.

His heroism in World War II had garnered him the title of flying ace. Winning two Cleveland National Air Race Thompson trophies in between the wars made him a celebrity. But his exploits in Korea made him a legend.

Cleland died Friday in Pensacola, Fla. He was 90.

Through his career in the Navy, Cleland garnered numerous medals as he rose to the rank of captain. He was awarded the Navy Cross, Air Medal, Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Navy Commendation and a Presidential unit citation.

He also ruled the skies over Cleveland during peacetime, setting speed records in 1947 and 1949 en route to winning the Thompson trophies.

He also owned an airport in Willoughby, where pilots trained.

Cleland was active in his community. He mentored youths as director of the East Cleveland YMCA, worked with the Cleveland Boy Scouts Council and helped create clubs to teach children to build model planes.

For his work, Cleveland gave him the key to the city in the late 1940s, and the Junior Chamber of Commerce named him Young Man of the Year in 1950, family members said.

Born to Chester and Altje Cleland on Christmas Eve 1916, Cleland graduated from Shaw High School in East Cleveland. He attended the University of Missouri, where he met his future wife, Ora Lee.


In 1940, Cleland enlisted in the Navy, and went to flight school in Missouri.

During World War II, he was credited with sinking a Japanese aircraft carrier during a dive bomb. He also participated in every major Pacific engagement, except Midway, until the summer of 1944.

The couple returned to Cleveland, where Cleland worked at Thompson Products, which produced aircraft parts. The company would later put up money to sponsor the Thompson Trophy at the air races.

In the Korean War, he flew 63 missions as he commanded a group of reserve pilots from Akron. He came out of both wars unscathed.

"I was just lucky," he said in a 2003 Plain Dealer story. "I can laugh about it now, but it was all a serious affair."

Cleland continued his service with the Navy as a test pilot in Florida and was stationed in Alaska, where he rose to the rank of captain. He retired from the Navy in 1967.

After retiring, Cleland moved his family to Pensacola, his son Todd said. He continued giving flight lessons and flying until he was 80, his son said.

In 2000, he was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame in Novi, Mich.

He taught courses at the local community college, and he became an expert on 18th-century furniture. He also was part-owner of an antiques shop.

Sandy Espy, who co-owned the shop with Cleland in Pensacola, said people came from all over the region to shop at the store. JoAnn Banks-Rochez, a frequent customer, said it was clear Cleland had an equal love for antiques and airplanes.

But in Cleveland, Cleland will always be remembered for his days in the sky.

"There are still times that people ask me if I am related to Cook Cleland," Todd Cleland said. "I just smile and say, 'It was my dad.' He was known far and wide."