Allen Kosters and Arthur Kalsbeek have recently enlisted as groundsmen in the Air service and expect to leave the latter part of the week.
Source: Alton Democrat Nov. 6, 1942, p 8
Allen Roos, Misses Frances Kalsbeek and Lillian Kosters took Allen Kosters and Arthur Kalsbeek, who left for Des Moines Thursday, to Sioux City.
Source: Sioux County Capital Nov. 12, 1942, p 7
Pvt. Allen Kosters, 824 Basic Flying Trg. Sq. A.A.F.B.F.S. Coffeyville, Kansas. … Orange City Boys In Ground Crew
Art Kalsbeek and Allen Kosters, of Orange City, enlisted in the army air corps ground crew two weeks ago and are now stationed in Coffeyville, Kan. Art, son of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Kalsbeek, is taking a mechanics course and Allen, son of Mr. and Mrs. Gerrit Kosters, who already has welding experience, will continue this work.
Source: Sioux Center News Nov. 26, 1942, p 14
Pvt. Allen Kosters, A.A.A.F. 797th T.S.S. Barracks 635, Seymour Johnson Field, North Carolina.
Source: Sioux Center News Feb. 11, 1943, p 10
Dear Editor: This is to notify you that I have moved and would like to have the Capital sent to my new address below. I enjoy the home county paper very much and it’s a great aid in keeping up with the constant change of address of my friends in the service. The weather is really nice down here and I like the country around here very well. This field is built right among the tall pines, which helps to beautify the camp.
I am going to airplane mechanics school here, if and when we get our KP duty served. My new address is Pvt. Allen Kosters A.A.F. 797th T.S.S., Barracks 635, Seymour Johnson Field, North Carolina.
Source: Sioux County Capital Feb. 18, 1943, p 6
Allen Kosters has been promoted from Pvt. to PFC and his Brks. No. is now 407.
Source: Sioux Center News March 25, 1943, p 10
The Gerrit Kosters now have 3 sons in the service, Seaman 1c Wm. Kosters in the Atlantic; Pfc. Allen Kosters with the air force at Goldsborough, N. C. and Henry entering the navy.
Source: Sioux County Capital May 27, 1943, p 7
Three Sons In Service
Gerrit William Kosters, S/1c U.S.N.R., U.S.S. South Dakota Div. 11, c/o Fleet Postmaster, New York, New York.
Pfc. Allen Kosters, A. A. F. 797th T. S. S. Barracks 309, Seymour Johnson Field, Goldsboro, N. C.
Henry Kosters A/S, Co. 372_43, Camp Waldron, U.S.N.T.S. Farragut, Idaho. Henry left for the navy recently and is getting his boot training at Farragut. He is a member of one of the choirs there and says it is a real thrill to sing in a choir consisting of 150 voices.
The above 3 young men are the sons of Mr. and Mrs. Gerrit Kosters.
Source: Sioux County Capital July 8, 1943, p 7
Seymour Johnson Field, N. C.: Pfc. Allen Kosters, son of Gerrit Kosters, Orange City, Ia. has been graduated from the aircraft mechanics school here in the Army Air Forces Training Command. At this North Carolina station in the AAFTC he has spent four months learning and practicing all types of aircraft maintenance and repair.
Pfc. Kosters attended Orange City High school and prior to entering the service Nov. 7, 1942, at Des Moines was employed by DeFore Ship Bldg. Co., Bay City, Mich.
Source: Sioux County Capital Aug. 5, 1943, p 8
Cpl. Allen Kosters T.D.D.A.A.F.T.T.C.Y. ft 48-12-26, 6600 Ellis Ave., Seattle, Wash.
Source: Sioux County Capital Aug. 26, 1943, p 7
Cpl. Allen Kosters of Seattle, Wash. and Seaman 2nd Class Henry Kosters of Farragut, Idaho met in Yakima, Wash. Saturday evening. The brothers stayed in Yakima and attended church there Sunday.
Source: Sioux County Capital Sept. 9, 1943, p 7
Kingman, Arizona – Recent graduate of the Kingman Army Air Field flexible gunnery school, situated a few miles outside of Kingman, Arizona, was 24-year-old Allen Kosters, son of Gerrit W. Kosters of Orange City, Iowa. Sgt. Kosters entered the army at Sioux City, Iowa on Nov. 7, 1942. He attended Orange City High.
Source: Sioux County Capital Nov. 18, 1943, p 8
Mr. and Mrs. Gerrit A. Franken and Mr. and Mrs. Jake Duistermars drove to Orange City on Friday afternoon where they visited at the Gerrit Kosters’ home whose son Allen is home on furlough from the army.
Source: Sioux Center News Nov. 25, 1943, p 10
Army Air Base, Kearns, Utah Dec. 17, 1943: Sgt. Allen Kosters of Orange City, Ia. is now stationed at Kearns, it is announced by the Public Relations Office. He is now an aviation cadet in a pre-flight training group here. Sgt. Kosters is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Gerrit Kosters and has been in the Army Air Force since Nov. 1942.
Source: Sioux County Capital Dec. 23, 1943, p 1
A/C Sgt. Allen Kosters 17071233 18th Repl. Wing Det. Pre-Flt. Grp. A.A.B. Kearns, Utah
Source: Sioux County Capital Feb. 3, 1944, p 5
A/C Sgt. Allen Kosters 17071233, 605th Trg. Grp., Sheppard Field, Texas.
Source: Sioux County Capital Feb. 3, 1944, p 7
A/C Sgt. Allen Kosters is home on a 10-day furlough while enroute from Sheppard Field, Tex. to Salt Lake City, Utah.
Source: Sioux County Capital Feb. 24, 1944, p 8
Sgt. Allen Kosters D. A. 6-16, AAF, Combat Crew Det., Dalhart, Texas.
Source: Sioux County Capital April 13, 1944, p 8
S/Sgt. Allen Kosters D. A. 5-30, Combat Crew Det. AAB, Dalhart, Texas.
Source: Sioux County Capital May 11, 1944, p 7
S/Sgt. Allen Kosters 17071233, 88th Bomb. Grp. Sumrall Prov. Grp., APAAB, Avon Park Fla.
Source: Sioux County Capital May 11, 1944, p 2
Kosters Brothers In Service (photos) Pictured here are the two sons of Mr. and Mrs. Gerrit Kosters of Orange City, Iowa.
SGT. ALLEN KOSTERS
Sgt. Allen Kosters entered the service in November, 1942. He received his basic training at Coffeyville, Kan. At present he is stationed at Salt Lake City, Utah, but expects to be transferred soon. He is an upper turret gunner on a B-17. His address is: Sgt. Allen Kosters 17071233 Army Air Base Salt Lake City, Utah
HENRY KOSTERS
S 1/C Henry Kosters S 1/c entered the service on May 28, 1943. He received his boot training at Farragut, Idaho. After that he graduated from Storekeeper School there. He has now been assigned a ship. We are not permitted to publish his address, please call the News for it.
There is also another brother, Gerrit William, who entered the service in August 1942, and was sent overseas after five weeks of boot training. He has been in two major engagements. Call the News for his address.
Source: Sioux Center News May 25, 1944, p 1
S/Sgt. Allen Kosters, who arrived Friday on a brief furlough at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Gt. Kosters, left for Savannah, Ga. Wednesday. Corp. Chas. Kreuger, who spent his leave with the Kosters returned to camp with him.
Source: Sioux County Capital June 29, 1944, p 8
S/Sgt. Allen Kosters APO 520, c/o Postmaster, New York, New York
Source: Sioux County Capital Aug. 3, 1944, p 3
A new subscriber to the News is S/Sgt. Allen Kosters. We have his address on file at the Office.
Source: Sioux Center News Aug. 17, 1944, p 2
Mr. and Mrs. Gerrit Kosters of Orange City received a letter from their son S/Sgt. Allen Kosters telling them that he had completed four missions in Italy. Allen is a gunner on a plane and left the states about three weeks ago. He enjoyed a furlough with his parents just shortly before leaving the states.
Source: Sioux Center News Aug. 17, 1944, p 8
S/Sgt. Allen Kosters APO 520, c/o Postmaster, New York, New York. S/Sgt. Kosters is a turret gunner. He went on 14 missions in the Southern invasion of France.
Source: Sioux County Capital Aug. 31, 1944, p 8
Alan Kosters was recently promoted to the rank of T/Sgt. His address is: T/Sgt. Allen Kosters APO 520, c/o P. M., New York, N. Y.
Source: Sioux County Capital Sept. 14, 1944, p 7
15TH AAF IN ITALY, Allen Kosters, 24, of Orange City, Ia. has been promoted recently to the rank of Technical Sergeant. He is an engineer gunner on an AAF Flying Fortress operation from an Italian base.
Source: Sioux County Capital Oct. 5, 1944, p 8
Killed In Action
T/Sgt. Allen Kosters Dies In Italy
Mr. and Mrs. Gerrit Kosters received word this week of the death of their son, Allen, Technical Sergeant in the U. S. Army Air Corps, who was killed in action in the Italian theatre of war on October 5. Allen had completed 31 missions over enemy territory at the time of his death.
Sgt. Kosters was born July 8, 1919, and entered the Air Corps in November of 1942. He was stationed in a number of camps in the U. S. for training, and went overseas three months ago.
He is survived by his parents, two brothers, Gerrit William and Henry, both in the Navy on duty in the Pacific, and by three sisters. Memorial Service Memorial Services for T/Sgt. Allen Kosters will be held in the Second Christian Reformed Church at 1:30 p.m. Friday, with members of the John C. Pressman Post of the American Legion in attendance. All servicemen home on furlough are asked to attend. Orange City stores will close for the service. Rev. Mr. Jabaay, former pastor of the church will come from Chicago to conduct the service.
Source: Sioux County Capital Oct. 26, 1944, p 1
PLACE GOLD STAR ON HONOR ROLL
The Community Honor Roll Gold Star which was designed by J. T. Grotenhuis and painted by Andrew Vogel was placed on the service board Friday morning, with the names of the servicemen who gave their lives: Gary Ter Horst, Calvin Postman, Charles Van Gelder, John C. Van de Brake, Allen Kosters and Herman Vander Wilt.
Source: Sioux County Capital Nov. 9, 1944, p 8
CASUALTIES On All War Fronts … WASHINGTON, Dec. 15 (UP)
The war department announced today the names of 45 Iowa soldiers killed in action in the various theaters of war. In all these cases, next of kin have been notified and kept informed of any change in status.
… Mediterranean area: …; T-Sgt. Allen Kosters, Orange City; …
Source: Fairfield Daily Ledger Dec. 15, 1944, p 8
High Honor Paid Allen Kosters
WAR DEPARTMENT
The Adjutant General’s Office Washington 25, D. C. 21 July 1945 Gerrit W. Kosters Orange City, Iowa
Dear Mr. Kosters: I have the honor to inform you that, by direction of the President, the Distinguished Service Cross has been posthumously awarded to your son, Technical Sergeant Allen Kosters, Air Corps.
The citation reads as follows:
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS “For extraordinary heroism in action as engineer of a B-17 type aircraft 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 bomb bay wall, Lieutenants Fox and Woods remained at their controls and devoted their entire efforts towards maintaining level flight of this 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 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.”
The Distinguished Service Cross will be forwarded to the Commanding General, Seventh Service Command, Omaha, Nebraska, who will select an officer to make the presentation. The officer selected will communicate with you concerning your wishes in the matter. May I again express my deepest sympathy to you in your bereavement.
Sincerely yours, Edward F. Witsell Major General Acting the Adjutant General
Source: Sioux County Capital Aug. 2, 1945, p 1
Allen Kosters was born July 8, 1919 to Gerrit and Gertrude Brantsen Kosters. He died Oct. 5, 1944 and is buried in West Lawn Cemetery, Orange City, IA.
Sgt. Kosters served in World War II with the U.S. Army Air Corps 347th Bomb Squadron, 99th Bomb Group as a turret gunner on a B-17 bomber and was KIA over Italy. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.
Source: ancestry.com
