Richard S Hosman
Military
398th BG - 601st BS
Standing Left to Right: Richard S. Hosman (P), Roland D. Mundhenke (CP), Donald J. Coffee (N), Walter P. James (B)
Kneeling Left to Right: Floyd R. Aaron (FE), Jerauld N. Clements (R/O), William H. Brown (WG), Frederick W. Hinze (WG), Theodore P. Blank (TG), Leon R. Kershaw (BTG)
B-17G-60-BO #42-102854 "Arkansas Rambler" 222nd CCTS - Ardmore, OK
Object Number - UPL 22280 - Richard S. Hosman Crew 398th BG - 601st BS Standing Left to Right: Richard S. Hosman (P), Roland D. Mundhenke (CP), Donald J. Coffee (N), Walter...
Col. USAF Ret.
He particularly remembered the mission of April 13 1945 - target Neumunster. The planes were carrying RDX-B-2 bombs with orders to drop at maximum intervals (ergo no salvos). One plane did 'salvo' - two bombs 'kissed' and in the resulting explosion the squadron lost six planes - only four made it back.
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 398th Bomb Group 601st Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 17136633
- Highest Rank: Technician Third Grade
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 398th Bomb Group 601st Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 20224440
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant (2nd Grade)
- Role/Job: Radio Operator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 398th Bomb Group 601st Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
- Role/Job: Navigator; Radar Navigator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 398th Bomb Group 601st Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 16150331
- Highest Rank: Technician Third Grade
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 398th Bomb Group 601st Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-547236
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
- Role/Job: Bombardier; Navigator
Places
media-33836.pdf
(2.62 MB)
Document 33836
The Columbus Army Flying School, Columbus, Mississippi
Graduation announcement for Class 44-B
Tuesday, February 8th, 1944
Graduation announcement for Class 44-B
Tuesday, February 8th, 1944
Document provided by next-of-kin of graduate of Class 44-B
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Kaye Field
- Site type: Airfield
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Born |
Ord, NE 68862, USA | 8 May 1919 | |
|
Other Distinguished Flying Cross Oak Leaf Cluster: GENERAL ORDERS NUMBER 439 |
3 June 1945 - 3 June 1945 | For extraordinary achievement while serving as Pilot of a B-17 airplane on bombing missions over enemy territory on 2 November 1944 and 23 February 1945. In the performance of these operations, Captain Hosman exhibited a high degree of flying skill and devotion to duty. The exemplary manner in which this Officer executed assigned tasks in the face of hazardous opposition from the enemy contributed materially to the effectiveness of the formations in which he flew and the safety of aircraft and crew. The courage, coolness and skill displayed by Captain Hosman on these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States. Entered military service from Nebraska. | |
|
Died |
Madison, WI, USA | 28 September 2012 | Col. Richard "Dick" Sutton Hosman, USAF Ret., age 93, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, September 28, 2012. Dick was born May 8, 1919 in Spencer, Nebraska to Everett M. Hosman and Mabel M. (Sutton) Hosman. He graduated from the University of Iowa in 1941, commissioned by the ROTC as a second lieutenant in the Army. While attending the University he was active in the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity and Pershing Rifles, but most importantly, he met the love of his life, Margaret Josephine "Jo" Stalnaker. They married on September 27, 1941 and had more than 65 years together. He transferred to Army Air Corps Flight Training and was assigned to the 398th Bomb Group in England, where he captained B-17 bombers over Germany on no fewer than 35 missions, qualifying him for the Lucky Bastard Club. He received his Master's Degree in Educational Tests and Measurements at the University of Minnesota in 1948. As a career officer in the Air Force, he was stationed at bases around the country and in Japan where he was assigned to the 315th Air Division (Combat Cargo) as Assistant Division Operations Officer then Division Plan Officer during the Korean Conflict. He then commanded the 43rd Troop Carrier Squadron at Brady Air Base in Japan. After returning to the states in 1954 his assignment was that of Director of Inspection Fourth Air Force at Hamilton AFB where he was responsible for inspections of Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard units in eight western states. After tours of duty in California and Washington, D.C. at the Pentagon, he was transferred to Madison in 1961 where he assumed the position of commandant of the Air Force ROTC program and professor of Aerospace Studies at the University of Wisconsin. He was promoted to the rank of Colonel in 1962. He had more than 4,200 flying hours in 21 aircraft types to his credit, and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while serving as pilot of a B-17 airplane on bombing missions over enemy territory (1943, 1944 and 1945) with "courage, coolness and skill," and the Air Medal with four oak leaf clusters, three Bronze Service Stars and the Korean Service Medal, and both the Army and Air Force Commendation Ribbons. Dick and Jo loved Madison with its beautiful lakes, which reminded Dick of summers spent at his family's cabins in Nisswa, Minnesota. After 26 years in the Air Force, Dick retired . . . the first time, and assumed the duties of Assistant to the Dean, initially and Assistant Dean, eventually in the College of Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. After a rewarding career with the Engineering Department, he retired . . . pretty much, but continued to assist his former employer with event planning. During this time, he and Jo purchased their own little slice of paradise - a cabin on Found Lake in St. Germain, Wisconsin, and the call of the loons and promise of trophy muskies became so powerful that he decided to retire . . . for good, and spend summers at the lake. . Dick and Jo shared special adventures and experiences together including trips to China and Alaska, fly in fishing excursions in the Canadian wilderness and trips to various parts of the lower 48 to see their siblings, children and grandchildren. Dick felt blessed by the many friendships he and Jo formed through their travels. They were avid Badger sports fans. Their love of New Orleans and Dixieland jazz lead them to their involvement in the Madison Jazz Society, and they gave generously of their time and resources to several local charities. Dick was a loving son, brother, father, and grandfather who is sadly missed by his sister Lucille Duffin, daughters M. Lee Nordstrom (George), Nancy Ann Partin (Stan) and Deborah Jo Hosman (Mike Ploetz), granddaughters Janelle Ruth Dimattia (Jeff), Jenny Lee Partin-Olson (Eric), Corey Lynne Partin and Meredith Claire Blankenheim, great granddaughters Lily and Éowyn Dimattia, many nieces and nephews, and last but certainly not least, his devoted little dog Penny. He was preceded in death by his wife, his infant son Richard S. Hosman, Jr., his parents and his brother Robert Hosman. |
|
Other Graduated/Commissioned |
University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52246, USA | Commissioned a 2nd LT. upon graduated from college and Army ROTC |
Revisions
Contributoracbernstein1
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Contributoracbernstein1
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ContributorHotelie1970
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Sources
General Order 594 from Headquarters 1st Bombardment Division, Office of the Commanding General, by Command of Brigadier General Turner, dated 7 December 1944.
Contributor466thHistorian
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Contributor466thHistorian
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ContributorAAM
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Sources
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / Mighty Eighth Air Force Heritage Museum Membership List, July 2000