Anthony Kosta was born on January 19, 1908, in Kings County, New York. He enlisted in the service on March 20, 1942. He served in the 32nd Troop Carrier Squadron, 314th Troop Carrier Group, as a Technical Sergeant and Crew Chief of C-47A Skytrain #43-15146 during World War II.

On June 7, 1944, during the operations following the Allied airborne landings in Normandy, the Douglas C-47A Skytrain #43-15146 was participating in Mission “Freeport,” part of the large-scale aerial support for the invasion of Normandy in which C-47 aircraft transported supplies and equipment to airborne units operating behind German lines. The aircraft departed from RAF Saltby, Leicestershire, England, on a mission to resupply Allied airborne forces near Picauville, France, by dropping supply containers. At approximately 06:17, while flying over Gueutteville, about 3 kilometers north-northeast of Picauville, the aircraft was hit by German anti-aircraft fire that struck the left wing, forcing the crew to make a belly crash-landing. All five airmen survived the crash but were captured by German forces and taken as prisoners of war.

TSgt Kosta was held as a prisoner of war at Stalag Luft 4 in Gross-Tychow, Pomerania, Prussia. He died in January 1967 and is now buried in the Holy Cross Cemetery and Mausoleum, North Arlington, Bergen County, New Jersey, USA.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, francecrashes39-45.net, americanarchive.iwm.org.uk