Robert Merle Cookson Memorial Stone

Robert Merle Cookson was born on February 4, 1948 and the son of Alfred and Marilyn Cookson of Cotuit, Massachusetts. Going by Bob at Barnstable High School he graduated with the class of 1966. On his yearbook it is stated that he was an “auto enthusiast and spends most of his time tuning up his car” and plans to have a career in agriculture. He was drafted into the Marine Corps and entered via Selective Service. Right after training he served during the Vietnam War as a Private First Class. He began his tour on November 9, 1968 with the occupation specialty of Rifleman serving with 3rd Marine Division, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment “the Thundering Third” commanded by General Ray Davis and L Company led by 1st Lieutenant David C. Yorck . His unit became involved in a search and destroy mission in the Demilitarized Zone in the Quang Tri Province. On February 28, 1969 PFC Cookson and 46 other Marines were killed in a North Vietnamese offensive attack as they were engaged in an active search and destroy mission just south of the DMZ. His remains were returned and he was buried at Mosswood Cemetery in his home town. The memorial for PFC Robert M. Cookson is located at the entrance to Lovell’s Pond near his home. His name is also inscribed on the Vietnam memorial in Washington D.C.