Brigadier General Irwin K. Cockett Jr.

January 21, 2025

Brig. Gen. Irwin K. Cockett Jr. is a native son of Hawaii, having been born on the island of Kauai on Aug. 24, 1930. His is an alumnus of Roosevelt and Kamehameha High Schools.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army in November 1949 and began 36 years of service to his country and state. He served as an infantryman with the distinguished 5th Regimental Combat Team during the Korean War from 1950 – 1951.

Upon graduation from Officers’ Candidate School in August 1952, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant and assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division. Subsequent assignments included tours with the original “Green Beret” unit: the 10th Special Forces Group at Fort Bragg, N.C. and Bad Tolz, Germany. Other key command and staff assignments include duty with the 25th and 1st Infantry Divisions; U.S. Army Ryukyus Command; Department of the Army Regional Representative to the Federal Aviation Agency – Western Region; U.S. Army Pacific; Commander I Corp Aviation Company and the Operations Officer of the 17th Aviation Group.

Cockett served three combat tours in the Republic of Vietnam (June 1962 – January 1968) where he distinguished himself as a helicopter gunship pilot and leader of the “FANGS.” His decorations include the Silver Star awarded to him by the U.S. Marine Corps, one award of the Legion of Merit, two awards of the Distinguished Flying Cross, three awards of the Bronze Stars, four awards of the Purple Heart, two awards of the Meritorious Service Medal, twenty-two awards of the Air medal, two awards of the Army Commendation medal, two awards of the Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Gold Star, and numerous service and campaign medals. General Cockett wears the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Master Aviators Wings, Senior Parachutists Wings and Special Forces Tab.

In December 1970, Cockett became the Army Advisor to the 29th Infantry Brigade, Hawaii Army National Guard. He retired from the Army with 22 years of active duty service in December 1971. He then joined the Hawaii Army National Guard in April 1972 as an instructor pilot and aviation safety officer. In September 1977, he became the Staff Aviation officer and Commander of the Guards’ Aviation Support Facility at Wheeler Air Force Base. Cockett served as such until December 1982, when he was appointed as Chief of Staff, Hawaii Army National Guard. He was promoted to Brigadier General and appointed Commander, Hawaii National Guard and Assistant Adjutant General, Army, State of Hawaii, in May 1983. He retired from the Guard in August 1986.

His military education includes Airborne Qualification Course, Fixed-Wing and Helicopter Qualification Courses, Infantry Advance Course, Command and General Staff College, National Defense University and the U.S. Army War College (SRCOC). His civilian education includes courses attended at the University of Maryland, Los Angeles Harbor College, Arizona State University and the University of Southern California.

His current and past affiliations include: Su, Regimental Combat Team-Korean War Veterans-Hawaii (President); Old Soldier Reunion Association (Chairman); Special Forces Association (member); Employer Support to the Guard and Reserves (past Executive Director); Civilian Advisory Group (member); Mamaka’AiAlo (member, past president); Waipuna Board of Directors (vice-chairman); Pacific American Foundation (Director); Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation (member); State Dedication committee for Korean and Vietnam Memorials (Chairman); Innovative Technical Solutions (Director); Cockett Ohana (Past President); 50th Anniversary of the Korean War commemoration Commission (Co-Chairman); Advisory Committee to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on Minority Veterans (member).

Cockett is married to the former Elizabeth Huddy of Honolulu. He has three daughters: Mylabeth, Yokette, and Punahele.

Crockett is one of the very few (only three identified to date) members of the U.S. Army in history, to be awarded the Silver Star by the U.Successfully returned the Marines to the DaNang airfield. By his daring actions and loyal devotion to duty in the face of personal risk, Major Cockett upheld the highest traditions of the Armed Forces of the United States Navy.

Silver Star

AWARDED FOR ACTIONS DURING Vietnam War

Service: Army
Rank: Major
Battalion: 14th Aviation Battalion

GENERAL ORDERS:

CITATION:

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star (Navy Award) to Major (Infantry) Irwin K. Cockett (ASN: 0-1930924), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as an Aircraft Commander with I Corps Aviation Company (Provisional), 14th Aviation Battalion, in the Republic of Vietnam on 14 May 1965. When a Marine Reconnaissance Patrol was under heavy fire by a numerically superior Viet Cong force, Major Cockett landed his UH-1 B helicopter under intense fire and evacuated five Marines, two of which were wounded, to the Marine Collecting and Clearing Company at the DaNang airfield. Major Cockett then returned to the area and again under heavy fire landed, placed his crew chief and gunner in firing positions on the ground, and on foot located other Marines and helped to load one Marine killed in action on the aircraft and s

Distinguished Flying Cross

AWARDED FOR ACTIONS DURING Vietnam War

Service: Army
Rank: Major
Battalion: 14th Aviation Battalion

GENERAL ORDERS:

Headquarters, U.S. Army Vietnam, General Orders No. 33 January 3, 1966)

CITATION:

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major (Infantry) Irwin K. Cockett (ASN: 0- 1930924), United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight. Major Cockett distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous action on 5 July 1965, while serving as Pilot of an unarmed UH-1 B helicopter near Ba Gia, Republic of Vietnam. While his aircraft was escorting Marine helicopters on a rescue mission to evacuate eight Americans from an outpost surrounded by an estimated three Viet Cong battalions, Major Cockett monitored a radio call from another fire team that was receiving heavy automatic weapons fire about one mile west of Ba Gia. He immediately proceeded to the Viet Cong position, which was marked by red smoke, and directed his crew to place suppressive fire on the target. As his aircraft completed its first firing pass and turned left to make another pass on the target, it was hit by .5O caliber machine gun fire wounding the co-pilot. Although all instruments indicated the craft was incapable of further flight, and knowing that it might explode any minute, Major Cockett decided to maneuver the ship into the confines of Ba Gia outpost. The left rear of the fuselage began to burn and control of the aircraft became extremely difficult. At approximately 100 feet altitude and one fourth mile short of the landing zone control of the tail rotor was lost. At approximately 50 feet altitude the tail boom began to separate causing complete loss of directional control. The aircraft crashed and was engulfed in flames. Major Cockett immediately directed his crew to set up a perimeter of defense against a mortar and small arms attack. Later a Marine helicopter evacuated the crew and other Americans from the outpost. Through his sound judgment and professional skill in landing the disabled aircraft in a safe place, the lives of three crew members were saved. The heroic actions of Major Cockett were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.

Last updated 1986

Position Annoucement 1983
Promotion 1984

Cockett Takes HARNG Command

Col. Irwin K. Cockett, new HARNG commander.

(Picture from the 1983 Spring Pūpūkahi)

“I’m a Kauai country boy who has been very lucky,” says the new Commander of the Hawaii Army National Guard, Col. Irwin K. Cockett.

Taking command officially on April 15, Colonel Cockett vowed to continue the programs begun by Brig. Gen. Alexis T. Lum. General Lum named Cockett to the HARNG top spot with the concurrence of Gov. George R. Ariyoshi.

Colonel Cockett has been in the military for 34 years, but his military roots go further back. “I put a uniform on and a rifle on my shoulder when I was 12 for Kamehameha Schools Jr. ROTC. I’ve been in a uniform ever since.” He recently slowed down his usual frantic pace to talk to the Pūpūkahi.

He enlisted in the Army in 1949 at Schofield Barracks after graduation from Roosevelt High School. He served in the infantry during the Korean War. He returned to the United States and was accepted for Officer Candidate School, receiving a commission as a second lieutenant in Armor in 1952.

From 1953 to 1957, Colonel Cockett served with the fledgling Special Forces (Green Berets) unit in Germany. Cockett says, “Those days are always close to my heart. The training was fantastic and the people were great.”

He got heavily involved in Army Aviation for the next five years, returning to Hawaii for a stint as aviation platoon commander at Schofield.

In 1962, Colonel Cockett began serving the first of three tours in Vietnam. His list of awards for his time there goes on and on but includes the Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal, Bronze Star and four Purple Hearts, the last one earning him a four-month stay in Letterman Army Hospital in California.

From 1969 to 1971, Colonel Cockett wound up his active-duty career in Hawaii as infantry advisor to the 29th Infantry Brigade, getting well acquainted with the HARNG.

Shortly after his retirement, Colonel Cockett joined the HARNG as aviation safety officer and flight instructor. In 1977, he assumed command of the HARNG Army Aviation Support Facility at Wheeler AFB. Last December, he was named HARNG Chief of Staff.

“The military has done so much for me. I really consider it an obligation and a pleasure to work with the people in the HARNG,” Cockett says. “One of my main points as Commander will be to return to basics—to take a look at where we are, where we’re going and develop from there.”

He’s happy about the Guard’s condition. “We’re in good shape. We have a lot of new people who have to know our objectives. We now have to map out our route to meet these objectives.”

Colonel Cockett says he’s ready for this job. “I love the challenge, I thrive on it.” He ended his Pūpūkahi interview saying, “I never thought it would happen, but now that I’m here, let’s move!”
– 1983 Spring Pūpūkahi pp. 2

Cockett Promoted to Brigadier General

Brig. Gen. Irwin T. Cockett, Jr., commander, Hawaii Army National Guard, has new rank insignia pinned on by his wife, Elizabeth, and Maj. Gen. Alexis T. Lum, state Adjutant General.

(Pictures from the 1984 First Quarter Pūpūkahi)

Irwin K. Cockett, Jr., commander of the nearly 3,800-member Hawaii Army National Guard, was promoted to brigadier general on February 29, 1984.

General Cockett, 53, was appointed to his post as Hawaii’s assistant adjutant general, Army, and commander of the Army Guard forces in Hawaii by Hawaii’s Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Alexis T. Lum, on April 15, 1983.

Born in Kilauea, Kauai, he attended Kamehameha Boys School and Roosevelt High School. He enlisted in the Army in 1949 at Schofield Barracks and served as an infantryman in Korea during the Korean War.

General Cockett was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1952 and assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division. He served in Germany with the 10th Special Forces (Green Berets) until 1957, when he began a career in Army Aviation.

From May 1959 to January 1961, he served as an Aviation Platoon Commander with the 25th Aviation Company, 25th Infantry Division, Hawaii.

From June 1962 to January 1963, General Cockett served in Vietnam as personal pilot for the Commander, U.S. Military Assistance, Vietnam. He later served two other tours in Vietnam, one as Commander of I Corps Aviation Company and one as Executive Officer, 269th Combat Aviation Battalion.

He returned to Hawaii in 1969 as Chief, Logistics Information Branch, U.S. Army Pacific. In 1970, he became Army advisor to the Hawaii Army National Guard’s 29th Infantry Brigade and served in that position until his retirement from the active Army in December 1971.

General Cockett joined the Hawaii Army National Guard in 1972 as an aviation safety officer and flight instructor. Five years later, he was named commander of the Guard’s Aviation Support Facility at Wheeler Air Force Base. In December 1982, he was appointed Chief of Staff of the Hawaii Army National Guard.

He and his wife, Elizabeth, live in Waikiki. He has three daughters—Mylabeth, Yokette and Punahele.
– 1984 First Quarter Pūpūkahi pp. 1