He was a member of the 402 FS, 370 FG. He was KIA over Belgium on 17 DEC. 1944 while flying a P-38J (tail number 44-23180). The MACR is 11013.
 
Thanks in advance!

Daniel,
 
The following was extracted from the book "The 370th Fighter Group in World War II" by author Jay Jones:
 
17 Dec 1944, 1st Lt. Erwin J. Koss from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. O-667821. 402nd Squadron. Lt. Koss disappeared during a dogfight near Simmerath, Germany at 1530 hours. He was killed in action. Lt. Koss is buried at Plot A, Row 41, Grave 51 in the Ardennes American Cemetery at Neupre, Belgium. P-38 Serial # 43-28413. MACR#10976
 
Mission 17 Dec 1944/ Destination: Düren, Prüm, Euskirchen, Germany/ Type: Armed Recce/ Time: 1500-1530/ Leader: Lt. Lineker/ Unit 402nd/ Aircraft 10 P-38's
 
Dirk

Dirk,
Thanks for the information. I was tracking a different tail number and MACR. I guess the next step would be to find the MACRs in question and find out which one is correct.
 
Thanks a lot!

Is there anywhere to obtain MACRs online? I'd be interested in looking at MACR 11013 and 10976.
 
I'm researching for a model plane that I'm trying to build.
 
Thanks

Daniel -
For Free Copies of MACRs Contact ms. Gamma at AAF Archives
lynn.gamma@maxwell.af.mil
Mike

Thanks for your quick response.

Daniel,
 
The 370th FG lost 6 P-38's that day. I hope Jay Jones didn't make any typo's with regard to the MACR numbers.
 
P-38 s/n 44-23180 2nd Lt. Robert E. Everett 401st FS MACR 11013
P-38 s/n 43-28413 1st. Lt. Erwin J. Koss 402nd FS MACR 10976
P-38 s/n 44-24635 2nd Lt. David H. Bastel 402nd FS MACR 10979
P-38 s/n 44-24426 1st Lt. Edward P. Bradford 402nd FS MACR 10978
P-38 s/n 42-104130 2nd Lt. Donald P. Matthews 402nd FS MACR 10975
P-38 s/n 42-68186 1st Lt. James V. Calvacca 402nd FS MACR 10977 
 
I assume you are related to Lt. Erwin J. Koss. Perhaps you even might want to order his Individual Deceased Personnel File (IDPF).

293 file, Individual Deceased Personnel File - this file is maintained by the Department of the Army in Washington, DC. If the veteran you are researching was Killed in Action you will definitely want to obtain this file. This file documents the activities of the Graves Registration Command and the Army to locate, identify, and provide a final resting place for the deceased.
 
Mailing address:
U.S. Army Personnel Command,
Public Affairs Office (FOIA)
200 Stovall Street
Alexandria, VA 22332-0404.

Enclosed in the letter the requestor should cite the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and provide full name of the relative, service number, and date of death (or whether the death was during WWII, Korea, or Vietnam).
Return mailing address is required. Please allow up to 20 weeks for the research process. FOIA fees are waived for requests from family members for death/burial records on their loved ones.
 
Regards,
Dirk

Oops

I wrote the book on the 370th and obtained the MACRs for the 370th. Unfortunately the MACRs do not provide the squadron code letters. I could not find records that document the squadron codes of the planes. So, for you modelers out there the only source I think of 370th info is the photographic evidence.

Furthermore, I could not find records that provided a listing of each pilot that flew each mission. Some 370th pilots were given a listing of every mission they flew during their time in the 370th. However, not every pilot received one. My grandfather, a 370th pilot, did not receive such a listing. Also, he quit recording in his log book his missions, so I have no record of exactly what missions he flew. Perhaps there are records out there with such information but I have not found them to date. So, that was another stumbling block for me in the book. I have seen records of bomber groups that show not only the planes that flew every mission, but also their place in the formation. I wish the 370th had such documentation, but I think the missions were more fast and furious and less well preplanned than those of the bomber groups.

And Dirk, I too hope that I made no typos when listing MACR numbers! I just wanted to put in the book enough information so others could request the MACRs if they wanted. Hope it helps someone in the future! Sorry for the typos. Perhaps if the initial 4000 printed will every sell out there will be a second edition and I can make corrections/additions!

Thanks,
Jay

Jay, first I want to thank you for the great book, I read it often.
 
Secondly, the MACR numbers were correct.
 
In the end I gave his plane the code "E", because "K" was already in use. I went through the entire alphabet and the pgotos in the book, by the process of elimination I came up with the "E". I tried to post some picture of the completed model. but failed.
 
Once again, thank you for such a great book!
 
Daniel