World War II Honoree

Robert Prentiss Cosby

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Flora, Illinois

Honored By

Paul T. Riggle

Relationship

Friend

TECHNICAL SERGEANT WITH THE 101ST AIRBORNE DIVISION, THE SCREAMING EAGLES. JUMPED BEHIND ENEMY LINES IN THE PRE-DAWN DARKNESS OF OPERATION OVERLORD, D-DAY ON JUNE 6, 1944, WELL BEFORE THE BEACH ASSAULTS AT NORMANDY BEGAN. IN SEPTEMBER, HE JUMPED AGAIN AT EINDHOVEN, HOLLAND IN SUPPORT OF OPERATION MARKET GARDEN. IN DECEMBER 1944, HE WAS TRUCKED WITH THE OTHERS OF THE 101ST FROM A REST AREA IN FRANCE TO BASTOGNE, BELGIUM IN TIME TO WITNESS AND DEFEND, GENERAL MCAULIFFE'S FAMOUS 'NUTS' REPLY TO THE GERMAN DEMAND FOR SURRENDER. AWARDS AND DECORATIONS INCLUDED THE COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, PURPLE HEART AND THE BRONZE STAR.