Stephen served as a Technician Fifth Grade, 31st Signal Construction Battalion, U.S. Army during World War II.

He resided in Camden County, New Jersey prior to the war.

He enlisted in the Army on October 24, 1942 in Camden, New Jersey. He was noted, at the time of his enlistment, as being employed as a Purchasing agent and/or buyer and also as Single, without dependents.

Stephen was a passenger on the HMT Rohna.

The Rohna and four other troop ships left Oran in French Algeria with cargo and troops. Off Béjaïa, Algeria the convoy was attacked by an estimated 60 German Luftwaffe Heinkel 177's. One of the 177's, piloted by Hans Dochtermann, released a glide bomb that hit Rohna on her port side and she eventually sank.

1,138 men were killed, including 1,015 U.S. personnel. The attack is the largest loss of US troops at sea due to enemy action in a single incident. 35 U.S. troops of the 2,000 originally embarked later died of wounds.

Stephen was declared "Missing In Action" in this sinking during the war.

He was awarded the Purple Heart.

Service # 32368010

His brother, Pvt. Walter J. Koscianski, also perished during World War II.

( Bio by: Russ Pickett )

Stephen served as a Technician Fifth Grade, 31st Signal Construction Battalion, U.S. Army during World War II.

He resided in Camden County, New Jersey prior to the war.

He enlisted in the Army on October 24, 1942 in Camden, New Jersey. He was noted, at the time of his enlistment, as being employed as a Purchasing agent and/or buyer and also as Single, without dependents.

Stephen was a passenger on the HMT Rohna.

The Rohna and four other troop ships left Oran in French Algeria with cargo and troops. Off Béjaïa, Algeria the convoy was attacked by an estimated 60 German Luftwaffe Heinkel 177's. One of the 177's, piloted by Hans Dochtermann, released a glide bomb that hit Rohna on her port side and she eventually sank.

1,138 men were killed, including 1,015 U.S. personnel. The attack is the largest loss of US troops at sea due to enemy action in a single incident. 35 U.S. troops of the 2,000 originally embarked later died of wounds.

Stephen was declared "Missing In Action" in this sinking during the war.

He was awarded the Purple Heart.

Service # 32368010

His brother, Pvt. Walter J. Koscianski, also perished during World War II.

( Bio by: Russ Pickett )