Norman Cota, Jr.

Norman Daniel Cota, Jr. (aka: Dan Cota) Son of Major General Norman Cota,Sr. and a decorated fighter pilot who was associated with "The Hard Luck Squard" that shot down more German Luftwaffer than any other U.S. fighter squardron during World War II.

Early Life

Born December 15th, 1921 in Washington D.C., the Son of Major General Norman Cota, Sr. and Constance Martha Alexander. Being raised in a military family, in his young life, he found himself having a checkered education. During the period of World War II, he would enter The United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, and graduated in the excellerated class of 1943.

World War II

Upon his graduation from West Point, he immediately entered The United States Army Air Corps or USSAF, 8th. Army Aircorps 356th. Fighter Group, and would reach the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. As a squardron leader, he would be involved with various air and ground battles from The Invasion of Normandy to The Battle of Hurtgen Forest. It is noted that he was associated with the famous "Hard Luck Squardron", that shot down more German Luftwaffer, than any other squardron in the war, but in their success, the squadron's sustained heavy losses as well.

RECON and Intelligence

As a fighter pilot, he was also given special assignments in RECON and Aero-Intelligence gathering as well. It is alledged that he was at times associated with 356th. Fighter Group member, Captain William Clark Gable, who he gave air cover assistance to Capt. Gable, and his crew in the providing of film RECON as needed.

The Battle of Hurtgen Forest

Also known as "The Battle of The Bulge", he directly assisted his commander father, Maj. Gen. Norman Cota, Sr. in direct RECON communications for the challenged and beleagued 28th "Bloody Bucket" Infantry Division, that was almost routed by the German Army surge into the allied lines. It was said he considered it one of his finest moments.

References

"The Assembly" Magazine of The U.S. Military Academy, Memorial Articles, July 1990.