Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Samuel
William
Koster
1919-12-29

–

2006-01-23

Born:

West Liberty

, 

Iowa

Home:

West Liberty

, 

Iowa

Buried: 

West Point

, 

New York

Cemetery:

U.S. Military Academy Post Cemetery

Samuel Koster graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1942. he served from 1968 to 1970 as Superintendent of the Academy. After that billet, he was slated for promotion to lieutenant general before receiving a reduction in rank to brigadier general and retiring as a result of his efforts to minimize the details of the My Lai Massacre in Vietnam. He retired in 1973 as a U.S. Army Brigadier General.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Major (Infantry)

    Regiment:

    413th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    104th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    World War II
    Headquarters, 104th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 169 (1945)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major (Infantry) Samuel William Koster (ASN: 0-24873), United States Army, for gallantry in action as Executive Officer of an Infantry Battalion of the 413th Infantry Regiment, 104th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in the European Theater of Operations, in 1944 and 1945. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Major Koster, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

  • Army Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Major General

    Division:

    23d Infantry Division (Americal)

    Action Date:

    September 1967 – May 1968
    Department of the Army, General Orders No. 50 (September 26, 1968)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Major General Samuel William Koster (ASN: 0-24873), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility as Commanding General, Americal Division, in the Republic of Vietnam, during the period from September 1967 through May 1968.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Major General

    Division:

    23d Infantry Division (Americal)

    Action Date:

    1967 – 1968
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Major General Samuel William Koster (ASN: 0-24873), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Major General Koster distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions while serving as Commanding General of the 23d Infantry Division (Americal), in action against the enemy in 1967 and 1968. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Major General Koster, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Colonel (Infantry)

    Action Date:

    1951
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel (Infantry) Samuel William Koster (ASN: 0-24873), United States Army, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States in Korea in 1951.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Colonel (Infantry)

    Action Date:

    November 1960 – June 1964
    Department of the Army, General Orders No. 25 (July 31, 1964)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Colonel (Infantry) Samuel William Koster (ASN: 0-24873), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States from November 1960 to June 1964.