Sgt Thomas L. Cotner
U.S. Army Air Force, 19th Bombardment Group, 30th Bombardment Squadron
Radio B-17F Flying Fortress 41-24427 Missing In Action (MIA) September 15, 1942

Background
Thomas Leonard Cotner was born December 26, 1920 to parents Daniel Thiessen Cotner and Myrtle H Beckstead Cotner in Worland, Wyoming. He had a fraternal twin brother, Ted Cotner. His parents divorced and his mother remarried Marion Austin “Jack” Stoutenberg with his brother and moved to 155 North Kimball Street in Casper, WY. Growing up, he used his step father's surname and was known as Thomas Stoutenberg but his legal birth name was Thomas Cotner. He graduated from Natrona County High School (NCHS) class of 1938 and was employed by The Texas Company (Texaco).

Wartime History
On January 6, 1940 enlisted in U.S. Army Air Corps (USAAC) with his fraternal twin brother, Ted Stoutenberg. He underwent training at Hamilton Field, Chanute Field and Scott Field. On June 20, 1941 became part of the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF). Assigned to the 19th Bombardment Group (19th BG), 30th Bombardment Squadron (30th BS) as a radio operator and aerial gunner aboard B-17 Flying Fortress bombers. By early 1942, promoted to the rank of Corporal.

On January 19, 1942 departed MacDill Field as radio operator aboard B-17E Flying Fortress 41-2449 piloted by 1st Lt. Harold C. Smelser on a ferry flight via the "Africa Route" bound for the Netherlands East Indies (NEI). The crew included co-pilot 2nd Lt. R. R. Wilson, navigator 2nd Lt. Moore, bombardier 2nd Lt, Wheeler, engineer Sgt Taylor, radio Cpl Thomas L. Cotner and assistant radio Pvt Greeg. On February 9, 1942 after a Japanese air raid lands at Singosari Airfield on Java and participates in the Java Campaign until evacuated to Australia. Next, operates from Cloncurry Airfield, Longreach Airfield and Mareeba Airfield in Queensland staging via 7 Mile Drome (Jackson) near Port Moresby in New Guinea for bombing missions.

On August 12, 1942 Cotner flew aboard a B-17 on a bombing mission against Japanese shipping in Simpson Harbor off Rabaul. The formation of eight B-17s was attacked by Zero fighters before, during and after the bomb run. Gunners aboard the B-17s claimed three shot down and claimed to sink or bady damage four ships.

Mission History
On September 15, 1942 at 5:30pm took off as radio operator / gunner aboard B-17F Flying Fortress 41-24427 on a night mission against Rabaul. After take off, no further contact was made with this bomber. On September 16, 1942 at 1:30am, when this B-17 failed to return, it was officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA).

Memorials
Cotner was was officially declared dead on January 7, 1946. He earned the Silver Star for the August 12, 1942 mission and the Purple Heart, posthumously. Cotner is memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing.

Relatives
Daniel Thiessen Cotner (father died 1960)
Myrtle H Beckstead Cotner (mother died 1980)
Marion Austin “Jack” Stoutenberg (stepfather died 1972)
Ted Cotner (fraternal twin brother died 2005)
Mary Lou Boehme (niece)

References
Thomas Cotner aka Thomas Stoutenberg
Casper Star-Tribune "Dinner Party for Tom Stoutenberg" December 29, 1940 page 4
Casper Star-Tribune "Casper Airman Wins Citation" October 22, 1942 page 1
Casper Star-Tribune "Haugland Reviews Exploits of Four Wyoming Fliers Who Won Decorations" March 10, 1943 page 1, 7
Casper Star-Tribune "Sergeant Stoutenberg Of Famed 30th Squadron" April 4, 1943 page 3
Casper Star-Tribune "Sgt. Tom Stoutenberg, Radio Operator, Missing In Action" October 14, 1942 page 1
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Thomas L. Cotner
DPAA Personnel File - Thomas L. Cotner
FindAGrave - Sgt Thomas L Cotner (tablets of the missing)
Thanks to Mary Lou Boehme for additional information

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