


Charles Maynard "Savvy" Cooke Jr., born on December 19, 1886, in Fort Smith carved a remarkable path through the ranks of the United States Navy, leaving an indelible mark on both World War I and World War II.
His leadership extended to commanding the United States Seventh Fleet from 1946 to 1947 and U.S. Naval Forces, Western Pacific from 1947 to 1948.
"Savvy" Cooke Jr.'s parents were Charles Maynard Cooke Sr. and Sarah Bleecker Luce Cooke. His father, Charles Sr., was a local attorney who served as the mayor of Fort Smith from 1908 to 1912. His mother, Sarah, was also from a notable family background.
Sarah Bleecker Luce Cooke was born on August 8, 1859, in Fort Smith. . She was the daughter of Stephen Bleecker Luce, who was a prominent figure in the U.S. Navy and the founder of the U.S. Naval War College. Sarah married Charles Maynard Cooke Sr., a local attorney who later served as mayor and U.S. attorney in Fort Smith, Arkansas2.

Sarah and Charles Sr. had several children other children who also made notable contributions in various fields. Sarah passed away on May 22, 1936, in California and was buried at Pacific Crest Cemetery in Redondo Beach, Los Angeles County
Nicknamed “Chob,” Charles Jr. graduated from Fort Smith High School at age sixteen. After earning a degree from the University of Arkansas in 1906, he entered the United States Naval Academy, where he graduated second in his class in 1910.
His early naval career saw him serve aboard the battleships USS Connecticut, USS Maine, and USS Alabama. Cooke's journey through the ranks continued with submarine instruction and command of the submarine USS E-2 as a lieutenant, junior grade.
From 1916 to 1918, he was assigned to shipyard inspection duty in Quincy, Massachusetts, and later commanded the USS R-2 submarine.

Cooke's leadership shone brightly during a critical moment in 1920 when the submarine USS S-5 accidentally sank. His quick thinking and bravery saved the lives of 37 crew members trapped in the wreck, a feat documented in A.J. Hill's book, "Under Pressure: The Final
Voyage of Submarine S-5."
Throughout the 1920s, Cooke continued to serve with distinction, taking on roles such as executive officer of the submarine tender USS Rainbow, gunnery officer of the battleship USS Idaho, and various shore duties. During 1931-33, Commander Cooke commanded a submarine division, attended the Naval War College Senior Course, was Commandant of the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, had further Navy Department duty and was War Plans and Logistics Officer with the U.S. Fleet staff.
Promoted to captain in 1938, Cooke returned to Washington, D.C., to join the Chief of Naval Operations' war plans staff. He took command of the battleship USS Pennsylvania in February 1941 and was present during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.

As the war progressed, Cooke's strategic acumen came to the fore. He served as the principal planning officer for Admiral Ernest J. King, playing a pivotal role in transitioning the Navy's focus from battleships to aircraft carrier task forces.
Cooke witnessed significant events, including the Allied invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944, at Omaha Beach. By the end of World War II, he held the rank of vice admiral and served as Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Operations.
After the war, Admiral Cooke commanded the Seventh Fleet and U.S. Naval Forces, Western Pacific, and served as a naval consultant to Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek of the Republic of China.

On January 8, 1946, Cooke was promoted to the four-star rank of Admiral and commanded the Seventh Fleet and Naval Forces, Western Pacific, starting in May, 1948.
Cooke retired from the Navy in May 1948, concluding an illustrious career marked by heroism, strategic brilliance, and unwavering dedication.
Cooke's family was also deeply connected to the Navy. His elder brother, John B. Cooke, served in the Navy and was elected to five terms in the California State Assembly. His younger brother, LCDR Stephen B. Cooke, USN, tragically died in an airplane accident in 1941.
Cooke was married to Mary Louise Cooper, and in retirement, they made their home in Sonoma County, California.
Cooke Jr. passed away on December 24, 1970, in Palo Alto, California, and was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.

