Ron Kovic

Ron Kovic was born on July 4, 1946 at Ladysmith, Wisconsin. He was, however, brought-up in Massapequa, Long Island, New York. His father, Eli Kovic, worked as a clerk in a supermarket, while his mother, Patricia Kovic, was a homemaker. Both his parents served at World War II. Ron is the eldest among five siblings.

He graduated from a summer school and earned a general diploma. After returning home, he enrolled himself at Hofstra University.

During his high school, he was not a good student and did not excel in academics, but he was a good wrestler and athlete. He took up baseball during his college days and excelled in that as well. He even considered making it his profession but destiny had other plans for him.

His like took a turn when was inspired by a military recruiter’s speech to join the Marines. Kovic’s choice was further strengthened by values that were imbibed by him right from his childhood days as he was raised by a family with military background.

In 1964, Kovic joined the US Marine Corps. His primary purpose for joining the Marines was to serve his country. Shortly after his joining, he landed-up in Vietnam to fight the War.

He was a member of the reconnaissance platoon that volunteered a long-range patrol. All the 18 members were elites of the Marine Corps. Kovic, along with his teammates, served at the H&S Co., 1st AmTrac Battalion and 3rd Marine Division.

During the war, his platoon was asked to attack and kill civilians in a village. They had received information that the villagers were armed, but after the encounter, Kovic found out that none of the killed citizens, had any arms.

On the battlefield, he accidentally shot a young corporal, but Kovic was shocked when his superiors refused to hear his confession. They referred the act as collateral damage.

Kovic was fighting near LOC of the Republic of Vietnam when an enemy bullet hit him in the left heel. A second bullet went through his spinal cord which left his lower body paralyzed forever. Due to his exemplary service and courage, he was awarded a Purple Hear, but instead of feeling proud, he was wrestling guilt and shame.

Disturbed by the Vietnam War and the plight of the people there, Kovic was disillusioned and frustrated and started thinking of the ways to wipe this frustration out. He began spreading awareness about the Vietnam War at local high schools. Around this time, he worked hard and got increasingly associated with Vietnam Veterans of America. His antiwar activism was further evoked by the 1970 shootings at Kent State University.

Although he had participated in several rallies and demonstrations, but he caught people’s attention only after he spoke at the 1972 Republic National Convention. He condemned wars and regarded them as the worst possible method to solve problems. He expressed his anger on loss of valuable lives of young men and women.

Kovic worked aggressively towards spreading the message of peace and supporting better treatment for veterans. In the process, he even spearheaded a few hunger strikes.