Posted by Terry Powers on December 21, 2022:

USMA Class of 1949. Cullum No. 16821. He was the son of Louis Harold Costa and Margaret Yore Costa. After graduating high school in 1942, he volunteered for Air Cadet Training. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1944 and during World War II was in the Army Air Corps until 1945. After the end of the war, he resigned his commission to enter West Point. He graduated in June 1949 and was commissioned as an officer in the Infantry. His military career included leadership and command positions from platoon through brigade and service in high-level staff assignments in locations around the world. During the early 1950s while stationed in Berlin, Germany, he met his future wife, Elizabeth Butler Schmertz, whose nickname was Teddy. On May 25, 1954, they married in California. In 1989, he retired as a Brigadier General after a ten year assignment as permanent professor and Head of the Foreign Language Department. He was the last World War II veteran still on active duty in the United States Army. His awards and citations include the Legion of Merit, the Silver Star and the Bronze Star. After retirement he and his wife moved to Rhinebeck, New York. He was a respected Russian linguist, who worked six years for the Federal Government. In 1994 and 1996, he was elected as Village Trustee of Rhinebeck and from 1997 to 2005, he served five terms as Mayor. He volunteered with the American Legion Post 429, the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, Northern Dutchess Hospital and the Rhinebeck Rotary Club. He was also active in the Good Shepherd Catholic parish, Ferncliff Nursing Home and the Rhinebeck Choral Club. After 20 years in Rhinebeck, he and his wife relocated to Canton, Georgia to be close to family members. Survivors included his five children, their spouses, fourteen grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and four siblings and their families. He was predeceased by his parents, his wife and two brothers, Louis and Charles Costa. Source: The Poughkeepsie Journal, August 11, 2013.

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