US AIRBORNE

A big thank you to Leo Kocher for agreeing to answer my questions!

Leo Francis Kocher was born on December 5, 1927, in Hague, North Dakota. He is the youngest of 12 children. His parents were of Russian descent, born near Odessa.

"My father emigrated to the United States in 1897, and my mother in 1900. I am the first generation of my family to be American. My great-great-grandparents were from Germany, from Strasburg."

"I am the only child of my parents who finished my education."

At the age of 15, his parents decided to move to South Dakota, settling in Aberdeen. Leo Kocher then entered high school.

"I was lucky because I could have had an education as a farmer."

Before the war, Leo Kocher lived with his family on the farm.

"My parents had cows, horses, sheep, pigs, ducks, geese, chickens, and also worked with grains."

"I had many chores on the farm, and I wasn't allowed to participate in all the school sports activities. I started milking cows at the age of 5, and I had to milk 3 cows before going to school. And I had to milk the cows again in the evening."

Leo Kocher joined the army on June 6, 1946, and stayed until September 23, 1950.

He decided to join the paratroopers because it was the only way for him to pursue higher education afterward.

"When I was a junior in high school, I found that the only way I could enter college was by joining the military to get the GI Bill (36 months of government-subsidized education). As a paratrooper, I received $50 a month extra (the base pay was $75), and it was a way to gain entry into college."

After 6 weeks of training as airborne troops, including two weeks as Glider troops, he joined Company G of the 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment, which was serving as an occupation force in Japan. His time there was spent on training, jump exercises, ground drills, and peacekeeping missions. Leo Kocher would eventually rise to the rank of Staff Sergeant.

"The Japanese were very friendly and very willing to learn new things."

In April 1949, Leo Kocher was discharged from his military obligations. He was placed in the inactive reserve.

With the start of the Korean War, Leo Kocher was recalled to active duty. He remained in the airborne but joined the 187th ARCT. During this conflict, Leo was wounded and was awarded a Purple Heart.

In 1950, Leo got married and had 3 children: 1 son and 2 daughters.

In September 1951, he permanently left the military.

Afterward, Leo Kocher returned to school, entering college where he earned a BS in Mechanical Engineering and an MS in Nuclear Engineering.

He retired in 1989, and at that point, he became very active within the 11th and 511th Airborne Association.

"Later, I was even named Man of the Year by the 11th and 511th Airborne Association. And since 1994, I have been an editor for the 11th Airborne Association, and since 1995, I have been Treasurer and Secretary for the 511th Airborne Association. I also spend two days a week at the local museum, maintaining the 14 computers as well as the cash register."

Leo Kocher and his wife Donna. Photo taken during the last reunion of the veterans of the 511th PIR.