The Sosland family of Kansas City has contributed more than its share of military service to the nation. When Morton Sosland joined the U.S. Army in 1943, he was first sent to Fort Riley in Kansas and the Horse Cavalry. After basic training, he helped train American troops for combat with horses, including firing pistols from horseback. When the mounted cavalry was deactivated in 1944, he was shipped to Europe in a Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron (Mechanized). After a bit of the Battle of the Bulge, he crossed the Rhine with General Patton’s army.
After the German surrender he was returned with his division to the United States and put on a train that sped nonstop across the country to the west coast to prepare for the invasion of Japan. When they arrived, they were told they would be among the first ashore, but the Japanese surrender made that unnecessary. Other Soslands who served included Mr. Sosland’s uncle, Louis, who was also in the Army during World War II, and his younger brother, Neil, who joined the Army during the Korean War.
Mr. Sosland’s father and several uncles served in the First World War. The Army made use of his father David’s agricultural background by making him responsible for all of the Army’s hay purchases. His uncles Abe and Sam also served in the war, and his uncle Sam attended veterans’ reunions for many years after the war was over.
The Sosland family and the Sosland Foundation are long-time supporters of the National World War I Museum and Memorial with Sosland family veterans recognized in memorial bricks on the Museum’s Walk of Honor.