Captain Richard “Dick” H. Bosch

Captain Richard “Dick” H. Bosch, U.S. Army, contributed significantly to the Ordnance Corps mission during World War II as the Commander, 300th Ordnance Maintenance Company (Anti-Aircraft Artillery) while serving over two years in the European Theater. His superb organizational and leadership skills enabled him to quickly activate and train the 300th to participate in the Normandy Invasion and subsequent breakout through Southern France. Which was quickly followed by the rapid advance across Europe culminating in the final victory over Germany.

In September 1941, then Private Bosch was assigned to Fort Monmouth, NJ to attend the Signal Corps Basic and Military Occupational Specialty training. Upon completion of this 13 week course in January 1942, he was assigned to Fort Lewis, Washington as Wire Chief (Post Signal Office), 16th Signal Service Company. In June 1942, Corporal Bosch applied and was accepted as a Candidate at the Ordnance Officer Candidate School (OCS), Aberdeen Proving, Maryland.

Upon his successful completion of OCS, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant, Ordnance Corps, on 5 September 1942 and assigned to the 267th Ordnance Company, Camp Haan, California.

In early May 1943 he reported at the Army's Anti-Aircraft Artillery Training Center (AAATC), Fort Bliss. Upon arriving then 1LT Bosch learned he would be responsible for activating the 300th Ordnance Company (AA) and was also selected to command the 300th. He was further instructed to “Train your company and yourself, BECOME A LEADER, know your function as an AA Ordnance company, follow your unit's training program and remember, you are a “tactical” unit so teach your personnel “how to fight” in addition to keeping the AA organization's equipment in the fight.

On 4 July 1945, with the conclusion of the war in Europe and over two years of command, CPT Bosch relinquished his command of the 300th Ordnance Maintenance Company (AA). Once his duties of Commander were complete he was assigned to the 3422d Medium Automotive Maintenance Company in Kirchhain, Germany. He would later travel back to the United States on December 24th, 1945 where he was released from active duty effective April 11th, 1946.

CPT Richard Bosch passed away on May 9th, 2013.