PVT George Odbert Cozad (WWII)


PVT George Odbert "Obbie" Cozard (service #35783751) was born March 8, 1926 in Fairmont (Watson), West Virginia, the son of Walter and Georgia (Arnold) Cozad. He was the younger of two sons, with his brother John Odis Cozad only a year older than him (born March 2, 1925).

The Cozad family lived in Watson until sometime in the 1930s, when they moved to Lancaster, Ohio. Walter continued working as a glass factory employee, this time at Anchor Hocking Glass. The 1940 Census for Lancaster indicates that they'd been living in Lancaster at least since 1935.

By 1943, the family had returned to Watson, and Walter was working (again) at Owens-Illinois, this time as a mold maker.

Time at Fairmont Senior High School:

During this time, George was attending Fairmont Senior High School. The 1943 FSHS Maple Leaf says by George's junior year photo: "Obbie' came to us from Lancaster High School. His ambition is to become a book-keeper and we think that he will fit perfectly in that field, and be a great success."

His senior yearbook, 1944, includes the caption "Abbie' [sic] likes Marion for a girl's name, favorite color is blue, says 'You're not kidding', and uses 'I had to work as an excuse, likes Sammy Kaye, hates homework (who doesn't) and favorite song is 'Take It From There."

On March 8, 1944, Obbie's 18th birthday, he entered the draft. He lists his employment as "student at West Fairmont West High School." The draft card says that he was 5'10" and 150 lbs with brown hair, brown eyes, ruddy skin, and wears glasses.

Military Service:

On September 16, 1944 (Huntington, WV), George enlisted in the Army, where he was part of the 21st Infantry Battalion, 11th Armored Division. For details on what his unit was doing in the days leading up to his death, check out the following from the 11th Armored Division Legacy Group:

  • On April 22nd the 21st Battalion was alerted to assist CCA at Weiden but help was not needed.  After taking Cham the next day, the battalion reached CCA and the Americans saw first-hand evidence of Nazi atrocities.  They overtook a column of 10,000 prisoners being marched from a concentration camp.  The SS guards escaped into the woods and patrols were sent after them.  Some of the prisoners killed a few of their former captors.          
  • On April 24th the battalion drove toward Regen.  The Thunderbolts made good progress until they reached the Regen River and found a bridge blown.  The infantry dismounted and ran into machine gun and mortar fire.  A company found a footbridge and flanked the Germans.  Tank fire wiped out the enemy force of 150 newly commissioned Nazi officers.            
  • The next day the battalion turned east 10 miles north of Passau.  The Germans fought back at Perlsruth but were defeated.  On April 26th the battalion moved to Wollaburg and sent heavy reconnaissance patrols probing toward the Austrian border.


PVT George Odbert Cozard died of battle wounds in Germany on April 25, 1945. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart for his service. Obbie is buried at the Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial in France.

Sources and Additional Information:

  • 21st Armored Infantry Battalion (AIB): 11th Armored Division Legacy Group
  • George Cozad is Fatally Wounded. The West Virginian, 1945.
  • Wounds Fatal To Former Lancaster Boy in Germany. The Lancaster Eagle-Gazette, May 14, 1915.

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