After graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps.  Soon after his deployment in Vietnam in 1964, he was captured by Viet Cong forces while while serving as an observer with Vietnamese Marines at the Battle of Binh Gia.  Although his fate was not known until 1973, he died in captivity in December 1967, three years after his capture.  An official determination of his death was not made until 26 February 1980. 

On 16 May 1980, Cook was posthumously awarded the U.S. Medal of Honor for "repeatedly assuming more than his share of manual labor in order that the other POWs could improve the state of their health.  Colonel Cook willingly and unselfishly put the interest of his comrades before that of his own well-being and, eventually, his life."  He refused to negotiate for his own release or better treatment and gave needier men his medicine and drug allowance while in a rapidly deteriorating state of health.  According to his Medal of Honor Citation, he chose to adhere to a Code of Conduct far above that which could be expected.  (A biographer notes that the Michaelman's Creed was one code he strived to live up to.) 

In addition to the Medal of Honor, Colonel Cook received the Purple Heart with Gold Star in lieu of 2nd award, the Combat Action ribbon, the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation with Cross of Gallantry, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. 

The United States Navy has honored the memory and service of Donald Cook by launching a Navy Destroyer in his honor.  The USS Donald Cook, a 505-foot Aegis guided missile destroyer with a crew of 341, was launched in Bath, Maine in May 1997. 

In 2001, Paul Palmer '56 and a group of his classmates decided to implement a Military Heritage Program at Saint Michael's to honor Cook and other alumni who have served in the military.  Plans include the construction of memorial in the Merrill Cemetery, a commemorative wall, a sculpture of Edmundite Priests welcoming returning GI's and a bust of Donald Cook.  In 2004, Senator Patrick Leahy '61 arranged for a duplicate Medal of Honor for Saint Michael's College. The Medal of Honor is on display in the Dailey Room of the Durick Library. 

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