Plymouth County

Pfc. Roman L. Kosse

 

Were Accepted For Service Week Earlier

Twenty-four Plymouth county young men who were accepted for army service March 12 left Friday by bus for Fort Crook , Nebraska , to start their military service. Six men who had been accepted for the navy and marines at the time these men were examined report as called for those branches and some were already in service. The group leaving Friday included the following:

Roman L. Kosse, Remsen

New orders received by the selective service board restrict release for publication of men called during any quota period and names of men cannot be given out by the board until they have been accepted for service. Dates of induction, induction center and mode of travel are also considered secret military information.

Source: LeMars Semi-Weekly Sentinel, March 23, 1943

NEWS of the Boys in the Service.

Pvt. Roman Kosse of Camp Butner, N.C., arrived home Sunday and is spending the week with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Martin Kosse in Remsen. He has been in the Army five months, and is serving in the infantry.

Source: LeMars Semi-Weekly Sentinel, August 10, 1943

Press dispatches last week carried a story of S. Sgt. Geo. P. Dorr of Marcus being rescued by a PT boat after being shot down in combat. The same day notice was printed of Silver Stars being awarded to S. Sgt. Philip J. Dominick and S. Sgt. Cyril J. Groetken of LeMars. Also last week notice was printed that Pfc. Roman Kosse had been wounded.

Source: LeMars Semi-Weekly Sentinel, December 26, 1944

REMSEN BOY AMONG DEAD

Roman Kosse, Two Times Wounded, Killed On Western Front

Roman Kosse, 20, son of Mr. and Mrs. Martin Kosse of Remsen, was killed in action on February 1, according to the telegram from the war department received by his parents Friday.
The telegram stated he was killed in the line of duty on the western front. He was a messenger, one of the most hazardous duties, as he had to travel constantly between advanced units and the command posts further back.

Young Kosse had previously been wounded twice, but recovered and was returned to duty both times.

This young man was in the army about two years, and has been overseas over a year. He was home on furlough before going overseas. Before entering the army, he worked for Dorr Produce Co. He was born and brought up in Remsen, attending St. Mary’s school.

A requiem high mass was sung at St. Mary’s church at Remsen this morning. Msgr. Schemel preached the sermon. The American Legion and Veteran’s of Foreign Wars, and the ladies auxiliary participated.

His mother, prostrated by the news, is under doctor’s care.

Source: LeMars Globe-Post, Monday, February 19, 1945

KILLED IN FRANCE

Remsen, Ia.—Special: Memorial services for Pfc. Roman L. Kosse, 20, son of Mr. and Mrs. Martin Kosse of Remsen, who was killed in action in France February 1, were held in St. Mary’s Catholic church here Monday.

Pfc. Kosse entered the army March 19, 1943, and was stationed at Camp Butner, N.C., until sent overseas in January, 1944. He was with Company L, 30th division. He fought on the Anzio beachhead and in Italy for six months and went to the fighting lines of France where he was wounded by schrapnel on October 14, 1944, receiving head and arm injuries which kept him hospitalized for six weeks. His purple heart medal reached his parents in November.

The soldier’s last letter to his parents was written January 21, when he told of having again been in the hospital for an operation, due to his schrapnel wounds. He informed his parents that he would be back with his outfit before they received his letter.

Born in Remsen, April 28, 1924, Pvt. Kosse was a graduate of St. Mary’s high school, Class of 1942, and before entering the army was employed in a produce house here.

Source: The Sioux City Journal, February 19, 1945 (photo included)

PLYMOUTH COUNTY MEN WHO DIED IN WORLD WAR II
Compiled by War Records Division of State Department of History

Kosse, Roman L. Pfc. Remsen Killed In Action 2-1-45 France

Source: LeMars Semi-Weekly Sentinel, June 15, 1945 [excerpt]

Roman Leo Kosse was born Apr. 28, 1924 to Martin and Christina Ulveling Kosse. He died Feb. 1, 1945 and is buried in Saint Marys Cemetery, Remsen, IA.

Source: ancestry.com