Samuel W. Koster

Samuel William Koster (December 29, 1919 – January 23, 2006) was a career officer in the United States Army. He attained the rank of major general, and was most notable for his service as commander of the Americal Division and Superintendent of the United States Military Academy. A veteran of World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, Koster served in the U.S. Army for a total of 29 years.

Although the criminal charges initially filed against him after the My Lai massacre were dropped, Koster's involvement would eventually cost him two stars. His expected promotion to lieutenant general, the traditional modern-day rank of the Superintendent of West Point, was denied, and he received a reduction in rank to brigadier general, while the Army Distinguished Service Medal that he'd received was rescinded.

Koster retired in 1973, two years after William Calley and Ernest Medina faced their respective trials by court-martial. Koster lived out his retirement years in Maryland, never speaking publicly about the events at My Lai, expressing no shame or remorse for the murders carried out by the men under his command, nor for any actions he had taken. He died in 2006, aged 87, and was buried at West Point Cemetery.