Oscar Koch

Oscar W. Koch
Born	Jan 10, 1897 Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Died	May 16, 1970 Carbondale, Illinois
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Army
Years of service	1915–1954
Rank	Brigadier General
Commands held	25th Infantry Division
Battles/wars	World War I World War II Korean War

Oscar W. Koch (January 10, 1897, Milwaukee, Wisconsin - May 16, 1970, Carbondale, Illinois)^[1] was a brigadier general in the U.S. Army and the Third Army intelligence officer (G-2) while the army was commanded by General George S. Patton in World War II.

Koch began his military career in 1915 with Troop A, First Wisconsin Cavalry and thereafter served on the Mexican border with General John J. Pershing. Koch subsequently served in World War I in France, and, in 1920, was commissioned an officer in the regular army cavalry.

Having made the acquaintance of General Patton while serving in the army, Koch was called by Patton to be his chief of staff during the invasion of French Morocco in November 1942. Subsequently, Koch served as the senior intelligence officer for Patton as he successively commanded the II Corps, I Armored Corps, Seventh Army, and finally Third Army.

Early in December 1944, Koch famously warned Patton that intelligence indicators pointed to an imminent large-scale German offensive against the U.S. VIII Corps in the Ardennes. This warning was accepted by Patton and resulted in Third Army devising contingency plans to swiftly change the axis of their operations—plans which Patton rapidly exercised when the Germans attacked on December 16, 1944.^[2]

During the Korean War, Koch commanded the 25th Infantry Division. Koch retired from military service in 1954.

General Koch was made a member of the Military Intelligence Hall of Fame.

Notes

1. ^ Koch eulogy
2. ^ MIPB article on Koch

Persondata
Name	Koch, Oscar
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	January 10, 1897
Place of birth	Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Date of death	May 16, 1970
Place of death	Carbondale, Illinois