Death from the Air: The Cosson Tragedy

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Members of the Cosson Family lived on farmland southwest of DeFuniak Springs. On the evening of August 11, 1944, they gathered at the home of Jim Cosson, just one-half mile east of Eglin Army Airfield. The sound of bombs at nearby training ranges was a frequent occurrence. As the family gathering broke up, the sound of approaching engines could be heard.

The Cossons ran for cover, but before they could reach safety a number of bombs exploded around the family. Jim Cosson and his son were killed instantly. Alfred Cosson was running with his niece Winnie Lee when a bomb exploded between them, killing him instantly. Winnie Lee suffered a fatal head wound. Fragments seriously wounded four others, including young David Cosson, who lost a leg and was paralyzed. The survivors were rushed to a nearby civilian hospital and then to the base hospital at Eglin Airfield.

The military later concluded that a mechanical error had caused a delay in the release of several bombs. After the war, the government provided only modest financial assistance to the family. In 1980, Congress passed a bill providing David Cosson, the most seriously injured survivor, a yearly payment. While other training accidents took place in Florida, the Cosson tragedy was the worst of the war.