Kovach, Elmer L.
- Date of birth:
- April 8th, 1921 (Pocahontas/Illinois, United States)
- Date of death:
- December 31st, 1944
- Nationality:
- American (1776 - present, Republic)
Biography
Service Number: 37405660.
Elmer L. Kovach was born on 8th April 1921 in Pocahontas, Illinois. After graduation at the Pocahontas High School he worked at the Civilian Conservation Corps and joined the 351st Bomber Squadron, 100th Bomber Group, (H) as a gunner after enlisting.
On 31st December 1944, now Staff Sergeant Kovach was killed in action on a mission to Hamburg with his second crew with B-17 A/C #42-31066 "Fools Rush In". As far as known the plane was hit by anti-aircraft shells during the bomb run over Hamburg.
Of the crew 2nd Lt. Floyd E. Henderson, Pilot; 2nd Lt. Richard W. King, Co-Pilot; S/Sgt. Elmer L. Kovach, Togglier/Nose Gunner; S/Sgt. George J. Robinson, Radio Operator/Gunner; S/Sgt. James W. Shepard, Top Turret Gunner/Engineer and Sgt. Fred Horcasitas, Waist Gunner were killed and 2nd Lt. George J. Smigo, Jr., Navigator; Sgt. Leo O. Murphy Ball, Turret Gunner and Sgt. Frank S. Sauls, Tail Gunner were taken prisoner of war.
The remains of Elmer L. Kovach now rest at the American Cemetery in Margraten, the Netherlands at Plot E, Row 13, Grave 24.
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Purple Heart
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Staff Sergeant
- Unit:
- 351st Bomber Squadron, 100th Bomber Group (H)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Staff Sergeant
- Unit:
- 351st Bomber Squadron,, 100th Bomber Group (H)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Staff Sergeant
- Unit:
- 351st Bomber Squadron, 100th Bomber Group (H)
Second decorations received as an oak leaf cluster for on the ribbon of the first AM.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Staff Sergeant
- Unit:
- 351st Bomber Squadron,, 100th Bomber Group (H)
Third decoration received as a second oak leaf cluster for on the ribbon of the first AM.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Staff Sergeant
- Unit:
- 351st Bomber Squadron,, 100th Bomber Group (H)
Fourth decoration received as third oak leaf cluster for on the ribbon of the first AM.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Staff Sergeant
- Unit:
- 351st Bomber Squadron, 100th Bomber Group (H)
Fifth decoration received as fourth oak leaf cluster for on the ribbon of the first AM.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Staff Sergeant
- Unit:
- 351st Bomber Squadron, 100th Bomber Group (H)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Staff Sergeant
- Unit:
- 351st Bomber Squadron, 100th Bomber Group (H)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Staff Sergeant
- Unit:
- 351st Bomber Squadron, 100th Bomber Group (H)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Staff Sergeant
- Unit:
- 351st Bomber Squadron, 100th Bomber Group (H)
Sources
- Photo 1: Olga Bartholomeus
- - In Proud Remembrance
- American Battle Monuments Commission
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