Killed in Action
World War II
U.S.Air Force
Italy
KOSTERS, ALLEN
Synopsis:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Allen Kosters (17071233), Technical Sergeant, U.S. Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy during an air mission against enemy forces in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. Technical Sergeant Kosters' unquestionable valor in aerial combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.
Headquarters: European Theater of Operations, U.S. Army, General Orders No. 56 (1944)
Home Town: Sioux County, Iowa
Full DSC Citation
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Technical Sergeant Allen Kosters (ASN: 17071233), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy as Engineer/Gunner of a B-17 type aircraft of the 347th Bombardment Squadron, 99th Bombardment Group (H), FIFTEENTH Air Force, in the Mediterranean Theater of Action on 5 October 1944. Shortly after the aircraft was airborne, two engines and the gasoline tanks in the left wing burst into flames which required immediate feathering of both engines. With the danger of an explosion imminent from the fire fiercely raging throughout the wing and burning through the bombay wall, Lieutenants Joseph M. Fox and Francis Woods courageously remained at their controls and devoted their entire efforts towards maintaining level flight of the virtually uncontrollable aircraft for a sufficient length of time to allow the crew to abandon ship. With the loss of altitude they realized the crew could not parachute to safety, thus they forced the aircraft to a safe altitude after which time all but Sergeant Kosters abandoned ship. Sergeant Allen Kosters, although realizing the necessity for leaving immediately, returned to his position on the flight deck to buckle parachutes on Lieutenants Fox and Woods, who were unable to do so because of the necessity of fighting to maintain control of the aircraft. A few short seconds after the remainder of the crew had parachuted to safety, the ship was observed to crash into the ground with gas tanks and bomb load exploding immediately after contact. By deliberately sacrificing their own lives, these gallant men saved the lives of the other members of their crew. Their display of unusual gallantry, cool courage and intrepidity at loss of life reflects great credit upon themselves and the Armed Forces of the United States.
Contributor: BarryC (47806468)
View Memorial
World War II
U.S.Air Force
Italy
KOSTERS, ALLEN
Synopsis:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Allen Kosters (17071233), Technical Sergeant, U.S. Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy during an air mission against enemy forces in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. Technical Sergeant Kosters' unquestionable valor in aerial combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.
Headquarters: European Theater of Operations, U.S. Army, General Orders No. 56 (1944)
Home Town: Sioux County, Iowa
Full DSC Citation
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Technical Sergeant Allen Kosters (ASN: 17071233), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy as Engineer/Gunner of a B-17 type aircraft of the 347th Bombardment Squadron, 99th Bombardment Group (H), FIFTEENTH Air Force, in the Mediterranean Theater of Action on 5 October 1944. Shortly after the aircraft was airborne, two engines and the gasoline tanks in the left wing burst into flames which required immediate feathering of both engines. With the danger of an explosion imminent from the fire fiercely raging throughout the wing and burning through the bombay wall, Lieutenants Joseph M. Fox and Francis Woods courageously remained at their controls and devoted their entire efforts towards maintaining level flight of the virtually uncontrollable aircraft for a sufficient length of time to allow the crew to abandon ship. With the loss of altitude they realized the crew could not parachute to safety, thus they forced the aircraft to a safe altitude after which time all but Sergeant Kosters abandoned ship. Sergeant Allen Kosters, although realizing the necessity for leaving immediately, returned to his position on the flight deck to buckle parachutes on Lieutenants Fox and Woods, who were unable to do so because of the necessity of fighting to maintain control of the aircraft. A few short seconds after the remainder of the crew had parachuted to safety, the ship was observed to crash into the ground with gas tanks and bomb load exploding immediately after contact. By deliberately sacrificing their own lives, these gallant men saved the lives of the other members of their crew. Their display of unusual gallantry, cool courage and intrepidity at loss of life reflects great credit upon themselves and the Armed Forces of the United States.
Contributor: BarryC (47806468)
View Memorial
Killed in Action
World War II
U.S.Air Force
Italy
KOSTERS, ALLEN
Synopsis:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Allen Kosters (17071233), Technical Sergeant, U.S. Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy during an air mission against enemy forces in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. Technical Sergeant Kosters' unquestionable valor in aerial combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.
Headquarters: European Theater of Operations, U.S. Army, General Orders No. 56 (1944)
Home Town: Sioux County, Iowa
Full DSC Citation
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Technical Sergeant Allen Kosters (ASN: 17071233), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy as Engineer/Gunner of a B-17 type aircraft of the 347th Bombardment Squadron, 99th Bombardment Group (H), FIFTEENTH Air Force, in the Mediterranean Theater of Action on 5 October 1944. Shortly after the aircraft was airborne, two engines and the gasoline tanks in the left wing burst into flames which required immediate feathering of both engines. With the danger of an explosion imminent from the fire fiercely raging throughout the wing and burning through the bombay wall, Lieutenants Joseph M. Fox and Francis Woods courageously remained at their controls and devoted their entire efforts towards maintaining level flight of the virtually uncontrollable aircraft for a sufficient length of time to allow the crew to abandon ship. With the loss of altitude they realized the crew could not parachute to safety, thus they forced the aircraft to a safe altitude after which time all but Sergeant Kosters abandoned ship. Sergeant Allen Kosters, although realizing the necessity for leaving immediately, returned to his position on the flight deck to buckle parachutes on Lieutenants Fox and Woods, who were unable to do so because of the necessity of fighting to maintain control of the aircraft. A few short seconds after the remainder of the crew had parachuted to safety, the ship was observed to crash into the ground with gas tanks and bomb load exploding immediately after contact. By deliberately sacrificing their own lives, these gallant men saved the lives of the other members of their crew. Their display of unusual gallantry, cool courage and intrepidity at loss of life reflects great credit upon themselves and the Armed Forces of the United States.
Contributor: BarryC (47806468)
View Memorial
World War II
U.S.Air Force
Italy
KOSTERS, ALLEN
Synopsis:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Allen Kosters (17071233), Technical Sergeant, U.S. Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy during an air mission against enemy forces in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. Technical Sergeant Kosters' unquestionable valor in aerial combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.
Headquarters: European Theater of Operations, U.S. Army, General Orders No. 56 (1944)
Home Town: Sioux County, Iowa
Full DSC Citation
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Technical Sergeant Allen Kosters (ASN: 17071233), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy as Engineer/Gunner of a B-17 type aircraft of the 347th Bombardment Squadron, 99th Bombardment Group (H), FIFTEENTH Air Force, in the Mediterranean Theater of Action on 5 October 1944. Shortly after the aircraft was airborne, two engines and the gasoline tanks in the left wing burst into flames which required immediate feathering of both engines. With the danger of an explosion imminent from the fire fiercely raging throughout the wing and burning through the bombay wall, Lieutenants Joseph M. Fox and Francis Woods courageously remained at their controls and devoted their entire efforts towards maintaining level flight of the virtually uncontrollable aircraft for a sufficient length of time to allow the crew to abandon ship. With the loss of altitude they realized the crew could not parachute to safety, thus they forced the aircraft to a safe altitude after which time all but Sergeant Kosters abandoned ship. Sergeant Allen Kosters, although realizing the necessity for leaving immediately, returned to his position on the flight deck to buckle parachutes on Lieutenants Fox and Woods, who were unable to do so because of the necessity of fighting to maintain control of the aircraft. A few short seconds after the remainder of the crew had parachuted to safety, the ship was observed to crash into the ground with gas tanks and bomb load exploding immediately after contact. By deliberately sacrificing their own lives, these gallant men saved the lives of the other members of their crew. Their display of unusual gallantry, cool courage and intrepidity at loss of life reflects great credit upon themselves and the Armed Forces of the United States.
Contributor: BarryC (47806468)
View Memorial
