Samuel W. Koster
| Samuel W. Koster | |
|---|---|
Samuel W. Koster
|
|
| Born |
December 29, 1919 West Liberty, Iowa |
| Died | January 23, 2006 (aged 86) Annapolis, Maryland |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/branch | Army |
| Years of service | 1942 - 1973 |
| Rank |
 Brigadier general (Demoted from  major general) |
| Commands held |
Americal Division (Vietnam War) Superintendent of the United States Military Academy |
Samuel W. Koster (December 29, 1919 – January 23, 2006) was the highest-ranking United States Army officer punished in connection with the My Lai Massacre. Koster was slated for promotion to the rank of lieutenant general (three star) at the time he was charged, but was demoted and ended his military career in mild disgrace.
Koster was born in West Liberty, Iowa, and graduated from high school there in 1937. He graduated from West Point in 1942, and was commissioned as a second lieutenant of Infantry.
After completing his Infantry Officer Basic Course, Koster was assigned to the 413th Infantry Regiment, a unit of the 104th Infantry Division. After completing organization and training at Camp Adair, Oregon, the 413th served in Europe until the end of World War II. Koster took part in four campaigns, and advanced through the positions of platoon leader, company commander, regimental staff officer, battalion executive officer, battalion commander, and regimental executive officer. During the war he also completed his Infantry Officer Advanced Course and graduated from the United States Army Command and General Staff College.
After the war Koster served with the 20th and 2nd Armored Divisions at Fort Hood, Texas, including assignments as a battalion commander and division staff officer. He then served in the Intelligence staff section (G-2) at the Far East Command headquarters in Japan. After returning to the United States in 1949. he was assigned as a tactical officer at West Point.
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