Damon W. Cooper

Damon Warren "Hutch" Cooper (27 April 1919 – 19 November 1985) was a United States Navy Vice admiral who served in conflicts from the 1940s through the 1970s, including as the Commander, Task Force 77 during the late stages of the Vietnam War.

Early life He was born in Elizabethtown, Kentucky on 27 April 1919. He attended Western Kentucky State Teachers College at Bowling Green, Kentucky.

Military career He entered the United States Naval Academy in 1937. He was commissioned as an Ensign on 7 February 1941 and posted to . In February 1943 he was detached for flight training at Naval Air Station Pensacola. Florida. After graduating from flight school he was assigned to Torpedo Squadron 24 which he commanded from August 1944 until August 1945, flying the Grumman TBF Avenger. For his outstanding service which included 60 combat missions in the Ryukyus, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with two Gold Stars and the Air Medal with eight Gold Stars. He was promoted to Vice admiral on 16 August 1972. For his service in this role he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal. The bombing was halted again in October 1972 as peace negotiations resumed, however Cooper's Task Force 77 bombed the North again in December in Operation Linebacker II.

He retired from the Navy in 1974.

Later life and death He died on 19 November 1985 and was buried at Saint James Cemetery, Elizabethtown, Kentucky.