Eli Kokotovich
Era: World War II
Military Branch: Army
Eli Kokotovich served in World War II and during the Korean War. He served in the U.S. Army.
Mr. Kokotovich joined the Army in July 1943. He attended boot camp at Fort Benning, Georgia, and then received training in the Army Specialized Training Program at the University of Wisconsin. He was assigned to the 96th Infantry Division out of Oregon. Mr. Kokotovich was sent to the South Pacific. He participated in the Leyte Landing in October 1944 and the Okinawa Landing in April in 1945. He was injured and was taken to the 48th General Hospital in Saipan to recover. He was discharged in January 1946.
His highest rank in World War II was Staff Sergeant.
Mr. Kokotovich also served during the Korean War, from July 1951 until October 1952. He was assigned to Fort Hood Hospital as an Assistant Pharmaceutical Officer and to Hokkaido, Japan, where he served as Assistant Battalion Surgeon.
His highest rank in the Korean War was 2nd Lieutenant.
Mr. Kokotovich was decorated with the Purple Heart as a result of injuries sustained during World War II.
Mr. Kokotovich was born in Hibbing, Minnesota, in 1924, the son of Joe and Mildred Kokotovich. He graduated from Hibbing High School in 1941.
Source: Veterans’ Memorial Hall veteran history form; veteran’s account (below)
World War II
Infantry basic training, Fort Benning, Georgia
Army Specialized Training Program, University of Wisconsin
96th Infantry Division, Oregon
October 1944 - Leyte Landing
April 1945 - Okinawa Landing
Patient at 48th General Hospital, Saipan
YANK Magazine, Saipan
January 1946 – Discharged
Korean War
July 1951, Fort Hood Hospital, Texas (Assistant Pharmacy Officer)
October 1951, Hokkaido, Japan (Assistant Battalion Surgeon)
