Alexander Kosta

Segment Synopsis: Born In 1921 in New Brunswick, New Jersey, Kosta says he had an average childhood. His parents immigrated from Hungary and were married in the United States. He discusses growing up and enlisting in the Army.

Keywords: 1921; Ellington Air Force Base (Tex.); Johnson & Johnson; Marie Lucas; Nancy Kosta; New Brunswick (N.J.); Slaughter, Enos, 1916-2002

Subjects: Childhood; Enlistment

Segment Synopsis: Kosta discusses his military training. Starting in Miami, Florida, where they couldn't find boots his size he was transferred to Wittenberg University, Ohio. At Wittenberg he learned the technical skills required to be in a bomber crew. Kosta talks about three positions, navigator, bombardier, and radio man that he rotated through during training.

Keywords: Bombardiers; Ellington Air Force Base (Tex.); Flight radio operators; Houston (Tex.); Miami (Fla.); Military exhibition drill; Navigators; Nebraska; Springfield (Ohio); Wittenberg University

Subjects: Training

Segment Synopsis: After being assigned an airplane Kosta flew into England. He discusses having to prepare the plane because they were still set up for commercial passenger service. He talks about receiving ground fire and taking shrapnel. Kosta flew 35 combat missions into Germany and France. He explains how the bombing runs worked and "kicking out" any remaining bombs before landing. Kosta was part of the bombing run to France preparing for the D-day invasion of Normandy.

Keywords: Berlin (Germany); D-Day, 1944 (Normandy invasion); England; Massachusetts; Mustang (Fighter plane); Thunderbolt (Fighter plane)

Subjects: Combat missions; Preparing to fly

Segment Synopsis: Kosta's primary aircraft was called "Neva: The Silver Lady." He explained how aerial combat with German fighters worked. He discussed what they did after a mission and visiting the local town near RAF Molesworth. Kosta remembers the silk maps that they were given before each mission and how they became a fashion accessory for French ladies. He, Robert Nuget, the bombardier and Louis J. Prudhoe, the co-pilot stayed in touch after the war ended.

Keywords: Bombardier aircraft; Identification; Mustang (Fighter plane); RAF Molesworth (England); Thunderbolt (Fighter plane)

Subjects: Aerial combat; Free time; Testing aircraft

Segment Synopsis: Kosta discussed his plans for after the war. He returned to college at Temple University where he had a basketball scholarship. He graduated with a business degree and got married.

Keywords: Basketball; Temple University

Subjects: After the war

Segment Synopsis: Kosta talked about his parachute training and why he kept his standard shoes near the door of the plane. He discussed Christmas and inviting a group of English children to celebrate the holiday on the base. Kosta said that writing back home was a problem because everything was censored so you couldn't say much in your letters.

Keywords: Parachuting; Shoes

Subjects: Christmas; Parachuting; Writing home

Segment Synopsis: Lunch on the plane was picnic style, but you had to be careful because food would freeze on the plane. Kosta considers whether bombing any of their targets ever bothered him emotionally.

Keywords: Bombing, Aerial; Lunch

Subjects: Bombing targets; Lunch

Segment Synopsis: Kosta discusses his homecoming and discharge. His cab driver was someone he had known from college. He also talks about growing up next to the Home for Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Keywords: Camp Kilmer (N.J.); Fort Dix Army Air Base (N.J.); Homecoming; Military discharge; Soldiers' homes; Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States

Subjects: Homecoming

Segment Synopsis: Kosta talks about the German bomb groups that would fly over and force them into the bunkers. He discusses his job when taxiing to make sure the right side of the plane was clear by yelling "clear right." At the end of his service he worked in the personnel office helping discharged servicemen get back home. Kosta also remembers professor Homer Smith, that he had classes with after he returned to college.

Keywords: Bombing, Aerial; College; Ellington Air Force Base (Tex.); Military discharge; Personnel management

Subjects: German bombers; Personnel office; Taxiing

Segment Synopsis: Kosta settled in Ohio after retiring from International Harvester. He talks about seeing some of his friends while he was stationed at RAF Molesworth. His two friends were Harold Scott, who worked at the tower at Molesworth and Frank Varga who visited while passing through before being captured by the Germans.

Keywords: Golf; International Harvester Company; Ohio; RAF Molesworth (England)

Subjects: Seeing friends overseas; Settling in Ohio

Segment Synopsis: Kosta talks about what people don't know today about WWII bombers. He discusses taking flak and firing the 50 caliber guns. He was lead navigator for one of the missions to Germany and explains how bomber formations were built. Kosta also describes where he flew missions, which included Germany, France, and Denmark, and why he didn't reenlist.

Keywords: Aerial bombing; Fort Dix Army Air Base (N.J.); RAF Molesworth (England)

Subjects: Building formations; Length of Missions; What don't people know