PFC Edward Kosterno

Today we honor and remember PFC Edward Kosterno of the 101st Airborne Division.

Private First Class (PFC) Edward Kosterno of Fox Company, 2nd Battalion (Bn), 327th Glider Infantry Regiment (GIR), was born in Hoopeston, Grant Township, Vermillion County, Illinois, to Kasper (Mike) and Bessie (Babcock) Kosterno on April 27, 1916. Edward was their only son.

Edward had a very simple upbringing and was raised in a poor farming family. To their dismay, Bessie Kosterno passed away much too young in 1921 (born: 1895).

Edward attended Garfield High School, a school open to the students of the north end of Terre Haute. The school was opened on September 3, 1912, with 132 students. After Edward’s graduation in 1934, he was employed by Kroger Stores, an American retail company that operates supermarkets and multi-department stores throughout the U.S.

Edward signed up for the draft at Terre Haute on October 16, 1940. At the time, he was employed by Henry Wheeler. He enlisted in the U.S. Army at Evansville, Indiana, on December 7, 1942, and was assigned to the 327th.

After finishing his stateside training, PFC Kosterno left for England with the SS Samaria on September 5, 1944. In England, the 327th men had to endure more rigorous training to prepare them as much as possible for the invasion of France.

It must have been disappointing for them to land with the seaborne elements on Utah Beach on D-Day+1 (June 7, 1944) as there were not enough planes available to tow the gliders to the Normandy battlegrounds. The main action of Fox Company was with the other companies of the 327th GIR at Carentan, attacking the town and defending the gained terrain until the 327th was relieved by the 83rd Infantry Division.

At the beginning of July, PFC Kosterno would return to England with Fox Co and he was allowed to enjoy a furlough, commencing July 16th. He had to report back for duty on or before July 23rd.

His next combat action would be Operation Market Garden, which started on September 17, 1944. His insertion by glider into the Netherlands turned out very eventful.

PFC Kosterno left England on September 18, but while flying over the Netherlands, the C-47 that towed his glider was on fire, probably from German anti-aircraft shelling. The tow was released at around 1,500 feet.

Given the altitude and the fact a loaded glider generally couldn't fly, it was a controlled drop, trying to land the glider. Some would call such a situation a controlled crash. All men landed safely on the ground in the vicinity of Vught, the Netherlands. PFC Kosterno managed to stay out of German hands and reached England on October 31, 1944.

Edward then returned to Fox Company and was in Mourmelon when the German offensive in the Ardennes started. Like all other Screaming Eagles, he was rushed to Bastogne and took part in the epic defense of the town.

Fox Company, together with George Company, 2nd Bn, 327th GIR, were holding the line in the vicinity of Marvie on the southeast perimeter of Bastogne. In the early evening of December 23, at around 1725 hours, the reinforced 26th Volksgrenadier Division from the Germans attempted to break through the American lines that the 2nd Battalion of 327th GIR was trying to defend. Supporting these men were elements from the 10th Armored Division (Team O'Hara), the 326th Airborne Engineer Battalion, and the 81st Airborne Anti-Aircraft Battalion from the 101st Airborne Division.

It was a very determined attack by the Germans, supported by many tanks and infantry across a broad front. There was a lot of chaos, with American positions being overrun by the enemy, with many men getting killed, wounded, or captured. The American lines had to pull back.

Even though several German tanks broke through the lines and easily pushed on through to reach the outskirts of Bastogne, the enemy never realized their success. German commander General Heinz Kokott ordered the tanks to withdraw before realizing it, and thankfully, the Americans were able to quickly close the gaps. The Germans never got close to taking Bastogne again!

The battle had been a pivotal moment in the defense of the town, and thanks to the heroic efforts of the 327th men, Bastogne was still in Allied hands.

Unfortunately, PFC Kosterno would never be able to enjoy this victory.

During the battle, his foxhole took a direct hit by a mortar shell, killing not only Kosterno but also PFC Henry W. Bliss of Fox Company and 2nd LT John C. Gill of Charlie Battery, 463rd PFAB.

Another three Screaming Eagles had soared to the ultimate height. 🦅

Due to the direct hit of the mortar shell, PFC Kosterno’s body was badly dismembered and partly buried. After the war, two unsuccessful attempts were made to find his remains, along with the other troopers killed in action. Their remains have never been found, and they are still listed as MIA.

His father, Kasper Kosterno, must have been devastated, having lost his wife at an early age and not knowing the fate of his son.

PFC Edward Kosterno died at the age of 28 on December 24, 1944. He was posthumously awarded a Purple Heart Medal. He is remembered on the Tablets of the Missing at the Luxembourg American War Cemetery and Memorial. May he rest in peace.

Happy Birthday in Heaven, Edward. Lest we forget. 🇺🇸

The sources used for this article are known to the author and available on request.