Ocean City native severely injured in New Orleans attack
OCEAN CITY — Ocean City native Adam Coste is recovering from extensive lower-body injuries suffered in the Jan. 1 terror attack in New Orleans, in which a U.S. Army veteran drove a truck into crowds on Bourbon Street, killing 14 people and injuring 35.
A GoFundMe page set up to offset the expenses for Coste had nearly reached its $100,000 target early this week through more than 1,200 donations, many of them from area residents.
A Texas man, Shamsud-Din Jabbar, 42, was shot dead by police when he got out of his pickup truck after striking scores of people on Bourbon Street in the early morning hours of New Year’s Day. Jabbar reportedly posted on Facebook his allegiance to terrorist group the Islamic State, but according to the FBI acted alone in his attack.
Coste, an Ocean City High School graduate and 2009 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, is the educational travel manager at The National WWII Museum’s Jenny Craig Institute for the Study of War and Democracy in New Orleans.
“As a witness to this horrific act, my thoughts are focused on the many victims who lost their lives or are facing critical injuries,” Coste said in a statement released on his behalf by the National WWII Museum. “While I expect to make a full recovery, many are far less fortunate. Please join me in keeping them in your thoughts and supporting them and their families.
“I am not taking media questions but greatly appreciate everyone’s concern and well wishes during this challenging time.”
The museum released its own statement: “The National WWII Museum is aware that one of our staff members, Adam Coste, was injured in the French Quarter tragedy. We are in touch with Adam and his family to provide support and assistance during his recovery. We continue to extend our heartfelt condolences to all of the victims, their loved ones, and everyone impacted.”
Scott Hedge of New Orleans, who describes himself as a close friend of Coste and a U.S. Navy veteran of foreign wars, organized the GoFundMe drive. He wrote on the GoFundMe site that his friend suffered extensive injuries to his lower extremities after being struck by Jabbar’s vehicle on his walk home.
Hedge wrote that Coste “will require an intensive course of surgeries and rehabilitation to regain his ability to walk.”
“Adam is the kind of friend and influence everyone wants to have. He is caring, generous, professional and kind. … He courageously served our nation on multiple combat deployments, and is a military history enthusiast. Adam would quite literally give you the shirt off his own back if you needed it. He would never ask for help because he is typically the one helping us,” Hedge wrote.
“I am creating this GoFundMe to take away any undue stress from Adam while he recovers physically, emotionally and awaits returning to work at the National WW2 Museum, in his role as the Educational Travel Manager, Institute for the Study of War and Democracy, where his true passion lies.”
“As many of you know, my brother Adam was injured in the horrific attack in New Orleans. He is alive and recovering from his injuries, and for that, we are profoundly grateful,” Coste’s sister, Sophia, said in a statement to news outlets last week. “On behalf of Adam and our family, we want to extend our sincerest gratitude to all of you who have reached out in support of his recovery. Although it has been difficult for us to respond to everyone individually, please know that Adam and our entire family are deeply appreciative of the outpouring of love and care we’ve received.
“The sheer number of Adam’s friends who have reached out to us, shared kind words and gone to great lengths to offer their support is a true testament to his character and the impact he has had on those around him.”
“The National WWII Museum in New Orleans, his employer, has been extremely helpful in supporting him and our family, and Adam is sincerely grateful for their unwavering support during his recovery. Our thoughts are focused on the many victims who lost their lives or are facing critical injuries,” Sophia wrote. “While Adam is expected to make a full recovery, some are far less fortunate. Please join us in keeping them in your prayers and supporting them and their families. For those who wish to contribute, his friends have created a GoFundMe page. Proceeds will go toward Adam’s outstanding medical expenses, and the majority of the remaining funds will be donated to the other victims and their families, per Adam’s request.”
According to the biography on the museum’s website, Coste has a degree in military history from West Point and was commissioned as an infantry officer who served 11 years of active duty in the U.S. Army. He deployed overseas three times to the Middle East and Europe on combat and operational deployments, serving in the 1st Calvary Division and 1st Infantry Division where he commanded both an infantry and headquarters company.
In his last assignment on active duty from 2018-2020, Coste was an assistant professor of military science at Tulane University in New Orleans where he taught military science and American military history. Coste earned his master’s degree in history from the University of New Orleans in 2023, according to the museum, which noted his research focused on the American military experience in the 20th century, emphasizing World War II and the Vietnam War.
Ocean City Mayor Jay Gillian wrote in his weekly column about Adam Coste.
“Some of you may have heard that local builder Bob Coste’s son, Adam, was injured badly in the New Year’s attack in New Orleans. We hear he is starting to make a recovery, but our thoughts and prayers go out to Adam and his family,” Gillian wrote. In a nod to the type of terror attack in New Orleans, the mayor added, “Our police chief is reviewing vehicle access protection at points throughout town and we’ll look forward to his recommendations.”
According to the GoFundMe, all the proceeds will be given directly to Coste to assist with medical and living expenses, which are difficult to predict at this time, but funds in excess to them will be donated publicly to the Greater New Orleans Foundation, according to Coste’s wishes.
To donate, go online to https://www.gofundme.com/f/assist-adam-a-brave-veteran-in-healing
In addition to the GoFundMe page, the Windjammer Restaurant in Somers Point is auctioning off a basket filled with sports merchandise, USA merchandise, gift cards and other items. Tickets will be sold for $10 at the restaurant on MacArthur Boulevard, with 100 percent of the proceeds going straight to Coste.
– By DAVID NAHAN/Sentinel staff