Procession, ceremony mark First Lieutenant Charles Woodruff McCook's return to Georgetown

A military honor guard of pallbearers bearing the remains of First Lt. Charles Woodruff McCook prepare to place the coffin at IOOF Cemetery on Saturday, August 2, 2025.
Chris Herndon, a member of VFW Post 8587, was among those along Main Street for the procession honoring First Lt. Charles Woodruff McCook on Saturday, August 2, 2025.
Cyndi Griffiths was among those along Main Street for the procession honoring First Lt. Charles Woodruff McCook on Saturday, August 2, 2025.
16-year-old Gaetano Vaccaro, a member of Scouting America Troop 155, was among those handing out American flags around the Georgetown square for the procession honoring First Lt. Charles Woodruff McCook on Saturday, August 2, 2025.
Williamson County Sun publisher Clark Thurmond checks out the view of the Square ahead of the procession.
People gather in a shady spot at Eighth and Main streets for the procession honoring First Lt. Charles Woodruff McCook on Saturday, August 2, 2025.
Women Veterans of Georgetown prepare for the procession by holding up flags on Main Street. Photo by Nicholas Cicale
Spectators wait on the courthouse lawn. Photo by Nicholas Cicale
The procession passes through the Square. Photo by Nicholas Cicale
Motorcycles round the corner of Eighth and Main street as they reach the Square. Photo by Nicholas Cicale
The procession travels on Austin Avenue in downtown Georgetown. Photo by Nicholas Cicale
Spectators on the corner of Main and Eighth street wave flags as the procession passes. Photo by Nicholas Cicale
A hearse carrying the coffin of First Lt. Charles Woodruff McCook makes its way along College Street after leaving VFW Post 8587 on Saturday, August 2, 2025.
Hundreds of motorcyclists, here along College Street, were part of the procession honoring First Lt. Charles Woodruff McCook on Saturday, August 2, 2025.
Doug and Betty Jean Steinke were among those along University Avenue for the procession honoring First Lt. Charles Woodruff McCook on Saturday, August 2, 2025.
A hearse carrying the coffin of First Lt. Charles Woodruff McCook makes its way along University Avenue on Saturday, August 2, 2025.
Motorcyclists, seen along University Avenue going east, were a large part of the procession honoring First Lt. Charles Woodruff McCook on Saturday, August 2, 2025.
Family members gather near the coffin of First Lt. Charles Woodruff McCook at IOOF Cemetery on Saturday, August 2, 2025.
Justin Byers, from VFW Post 8587, presents a Purple Heart to Diane Benefiel during the IOOF Cemetery service honoring her uncle, First Lt. Charles Woodruff McCook on Saturday, August 2, 2025. Next to her is her brother, John McCook, Lt. McCook’s nephew.
Diane Benefiel, left, and her brother, John McCook, niece and nephew of First Lt. Charles Woodruff McCook, were present at his burial service held in IOOF Cemetery on Saturday, August 2, 2025. Benefiel received the American flag that was draped over Lt. McCook’s coffin.
Gulf War Army veteran William Wilson, Jr. was among those present for the service at IOOF Cemetery honoring First Lt. Charles Woodruff McCook on Saturday, August 2, 2025.
John McCleskey, Senior Vice Commander at VFW Post 8587, offers a salute during the IOOF Cemetery for First Lt. Charles Woodruff McCook on Saturday, August 2, 2025.
Air Force Sgt. Melissa Rudell, great niece of Lt. Charles Woodruff McCook, was present for the service honoring him at IOOF Cemetery on Saturday, August 2, 2025.
Army Sgt. Michael Darcy played TAPS at the graveside service for First Lt. Charles Woodruff McCook on Saturday, August 2, 2025.
John McCook places flowers on the coffin of his uncle, First Lt. Charles Woodruff McCook on Saturday, August 2, 2025.
The B-25 Devil Dog from the Commemorative Air Force does a flyover honoring First Lt. Charles Woodruff McCook at his graveside service on Saturday, August 2, 2025.
The Falcon Flight Team does a flyover at the IOOF Cemetery service honoring First Lt. Charles Woodruff McCook on Saturday, August 2, 2025.
Congressman John Carter bows his head for a prayer during the IOOF Cemetery service honoring First Lt. Charles Woodruff McCook on Saturday, August 2, 2025.

A procession honoring First Lt. Charles Woodruff McCook took place in downtown Georgetown on Saturday, August 2, 2025.

McCook, a Georgetown native, died on August 3, 1943, during World War II when the B-25 he was piloting was struck in a mission over Burma.

His remains joined other unknown soldiers for burial in Hawaii. DNA testing finally revealed Lt. McCook’s identity. He was buried this morning at Georgetown’s IOOF Cemetery.

Learn more about Charles Woodruff McCook here.

Photos by Andy Sharp

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Military

First Lieutenant Charles Woodruff McCook