R E S T R I C T E D
HEADQUARTERS
FIFTEENTH AIR FORCE
APO 520

20 March 1944

GENERAL ORDERS )
: E X T R A C T
NUMBER 147 )

Award Posthumous of the Soldier’s Medal . . . . . . . . . . . 1

SECTION I — AWARD POSTHUMOUS OF THE SOLDIER’S MEDAL
Under the provisions of AR 600-45, as amended and pursuant to authority contained in cable No. 9782, Headquarters NATOUSA, 5 December 1943, the Soldier’s Medal is awarded posthumously the following named officer, residence and citation as indicated:
HOMER H. KOCH, O-808431, Second Lieutenant, Air Corps, United States Army. For heroics involving voluntary risk of life under conditions of grave danger. On 19 February 1944, Lieutenant Homer H. Koch was co-pilot of B-24 type aircraft when his plane crashed into a mountain top near , Italy. He and other members of the crew were thrown clear of the aircraft. Upon seeing a crew member lying unconscious near the burning aircraft with his clothes on fire, he, although having a broken arm, sever face lacerations and a severe head injury, went into the fire and carried the man to safety. He extinguished the fire on the enlisted man’s clothing and covered him with blankets which had been thrown clear of the plane. Soon after this act of heroism the aircraft exploded. Lieutenant Koch then lay down to await the rescue party and became unconscious. He later became conscious again but died as a result of his severe head injury. His outstanding bravery and utter disregard for his own safety in going back to the burning aircraft to rescue a comrade has reflected great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States of America. Residence at appointment: St. Louis, Missouri. Next of Kin: Mr. & Mrs. Fred W. Dewart, 1631A McLaren Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri.
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By command of Major General TWINING:

Y.H. TAYLOR
Colonel, GSC,
Chief of Staff

OFFICIAL:
/s/ J. M. IVINS
/t/ J. M. IVINS
Lieutenant Colonel, AGD
Adjutant General.

R E S T R I C T E D