Donald Steven Kovis
Staff Sergeant Donald S. Kovis served with Able Company, Second Amphibian Tractor Battalion.
He was reported missing in action at Betio, Tarawa atoll, on 20 November 1943.
Branch
Marine Corps Regular
Service Number 288404
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
This case is under Active Pursuit by the DPAA.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
March 19, 1921
at Joliet, IL
Parents
Joseph Kovis
Emily McPhee (d. 1938)
Education
Details unknown
Occupation & Employer
Details unknown
Service Life
Entered Service
July 17, 1940
at Chicago, IL
Home Of Record
1022 South Hill Street
Los Angeles, LA
Next Of Kin
Wife, Mrs. Peggy A. Kovis
Military Specialty
Quartermaster
Primary Unit
A/2nd Amphtrac Bn.
Campaigns Served
Tarawa
Individual Decorations
Bronze Star
Purple Heart
Additional Service Details
Previous service with 2nd Tank Battalion; joined Amphtracs on October 12, 1943.
Assigned duty with “A-1” Company, specializing in LVT-2 vehicles.
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
Staff Sergeant Kovis served as a company quartermaster and amphibian tractor crewman during the assault on Betio, Tarawa atoll. His vehicle, a new LVT-2 “Buffalo” model, carried troops of 2/8th Marines from the USS Heywood to land on Beach Red 3.
The slow-moving, lightly-armored LVT units suffered tremendous losses during the landings – both in vehicles and men. SSgt. Kovis was one of the casualties; he was reported missing in action after the battle, and later declared dead as of 20 November 1943.
Burial Information or Disposition
Burial information not known – remains not recovered.
A memorial marker was erected in Cemetery 33, Grave 6, Row 3, Plot 14.
Next Of Kin Address
Address of wife, Mrs. Peggy Kovis
Donald Kovis was born and raised in Joliet, IL
Location Of Loss
SSgt. Kovis was last seen during landing operations on Betio’s Red Beach 3.
