John Henry Hook

Major John H. Hook, US Army Retired, of Odenton, MD, passed away on March 16, 2022 at the age of 92 years. Born in Waldwick, New Jersey on March 6, 1930, he graduated vocational high school as a vehicle mechanic. On his 18th birthday in 1948 he volunteered to enter the US Army at Fort Dix, NJ. He was assigned to Fort Bragg, NC, where he became a Track Vehicle Mechanic. While there he met and married his wife, Nora. In 1951, he was assigned to Alaska as a Project Sergeant for testing and evaluating Army vehicles. In 1954, he served at Fort Sill, OK, as a Recovery Sergeant for experimental vehicles. He graduated Officer's Candidate School (OCS) in 1956. As a Second Lieutenant, he was a field officer in the Headquarters, Artillery Division, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, GA. That battle group was reassigned to Schweinfurt, Germany in 1957, where he was promoted to First Lieutenant in 1959. In 1960 he returned to the US being assigned to Fort George G. Meade, MD. When the Berlin Wall crisis began in August 1961, he returned to Germany and flew with pilots as a forward observer along the border between East and West Germany. In October 1961 in Baumholder, Germany, Captain Hook joined the 3rd Armored Calvary Regiment as Commanding Officer of Howitzer Battery, 1st Reconnaissance Squadron serving till November 1963. He was reassigned to Headquarters, 3rdArmored Calvary Regiment as Assistant S3 where he served until his departure from Germany in 1965. In December 1965 Major Hook became a training officer at the Headquarters Testing and Evaluation Command, Aberdeen Proving Grounds, MD. December 1966 Major Hook was assigned to Viet Nam until December 1967. He was a member of the MACV Combat Operations Command Center Team One, who reported directly to General Westmoreland. He returned to the US and was again stationed at Fort George G. Meade, MD where he was in charge of Operations Rediness Command of the Reserve Unit at that Post. On March 30, 1969, Major Hook retired from the US Army with 21 years of service. Awards:  National Defense Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster; Viet Nam Service Commendation Medal with two Over-Seas-Service Stars; and Army Commendation Medal. Affiliation: Officers' Candidate School Alumni

Major Hook was a graduate of University of Maryland, where in 1976 he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. As a civilian he pursued a career in real estate and opened his own business named “Woodland.” His real estate brokerage experience gained him a position in the Headquarters of the National Park Service with the National Park Service Acquisition Lands Division in 1977. He was responsible for executing the "Payment in Lieu of Taxes Program" (PILOT) for counties that had Service lands in their county. He later became the Vehicle Fleet Manager at the Property Management Division. He retired from the National Park Service in 1993 with 16 years of service. Major John H. Hook is survived by his daughters Brenda Hook and Linda Hook. He is preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, the former Nora Estelle Hook.

Viewing will be held on March 29, 2022 at Donaldson Funeral Home, 1411 Annapolis Road, Odenton, MD 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm. Burial with military honors will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial checks may be made to:

Salt and Light Ministries

5448 Apex Peakway Suite 314

Apex, NC 27502-3924

or to www.paypal.me/beingsaltand light

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