Record date:
Peter J. Koukos, Specialist 3rd Class, US Army
Memorizing the eye test chart was a gambit that resulted in Koukos flying a T-33 jet in Air ROTC, Reserve Officers’ Training Corps. Yet, the more rigorous eye exam at the Connally Air Force revealed his inability to see a target 300 yards away! Although this disqualified him from receiving a commission, Koukos is grateful for having been a “Cold War warrior.”
Born to Greek immigrant parents in 1931 and the youngest of six siblings, Peter grew up in Cicero and in various Chicago neighborhoods. After he graduated from Marshall High School, he studied finance at Bradley University, Peoria, and learnt military skills from Air ROTC [Reserve Officer Training Corps].
Koukos was inspired by his five older brothers, all of whom served during World War II.
He graduated in spring 1954, and married his girlfriend, Kathy in August. One week later, Koukos received his draft notice. He reported for duty on Aug 20 and did basic training at Camp [now Fort] Chaffee, Arkansas. Koukos was made trainee platoon sergeant with thirty or forty people under his command. Next, Koukos found himself at eight-week Clerk Typist School there, under a commander better suited for training combat infantrymen!
Koukos was shipped off to Bremerhaven, Germany, and from there to Heidelberg, the USAREUR [US Army Europe] headquarters with its plentiful amenities. He was successfully interviewed by Colonel Carl Poston to be the clerk typist for Staff Unit 7, at Allied Land Forces, Central Europe, based in Fontainebleau, France, where one of the requirements was speaking French. His wife joined him in April of 1955.
This colonel was responsible for the US-only military plan for Western Europe to which even the allies were not privy. The colonel was also a top advisor for NATO on atomic capability and often consulted by prestigious US brigadier generals. Koukos had NATO Cosmic, top-secret clearance to work with these sensitive documents.
He humorously describes work in pre-computer days where he was constantly re-typing the plan as it evolved. He used carbon paper since the number of copies was so tightly controlled. In the days before shredding, he could be found in the chateau’s dungeon where the incinerator was located, burning paper, and spreading the ashes with a poker.
The young Koukos couple initially shared a two-room apartment with another US military family whose departure was imminent. Then they lived in this ‘Marquis’ having bought the family’s furniture, as well as their car. Due to Koukos’ high-level security clearance, Berlin and Vienna were off limits (via land travel) let alone the Communist countries. Similarly, he was warned by the JAG [Judge Advocate General] Corps officer that he would be subject to the Greek army draft should he visit there. Nonetheless, the Koukos’ relished travel from visiting Peter’s brother based at Idar-Oberstein, Germany, though trips to England, France, Spain…
The couple participated in a drama group, organized by the British; his wife painted and volunteered by teaching crafts. Koukos contributed to the community of American high school youth as an Explorer Advisor aimed to cultivate leadership skills. Indeed, the only time that he used his .45 gun was to model shooting to his group at an exercise.
Yes, the shadow of the Cold war was ever present. Even as clerk typist, Koukos, participated in defense Army and Air Force exercises, where they would practice firing tactical weapons such as Honest John and corporal missiles aimed to interdict possible Soviet troops coming from the Rhine.
The Koukoses left July 31, 1956, returning to the US on a MATS, Military Air Transport Service, plane, flying backwards. They visited friends and family throughout the US before they settled in Chicago where they raised two sons. Koukos studied for an MBA at the University of Chicago on the GI Bill and his wife began to work. His civilian career took him to different employers, at some jobs he worked in personnel. When at the Sara Lee Company, he made a point of hiring veterans. Eventually, he worked at Mesirow Financial, applying what he had learned at university.
Koukos joined a VA and the American Foreign Legion and encouraged others to do likewise. This was sparked by the need for more veteran involvement to keep the VA Hospital in North Chicago open as per Congressman, John Porter.
Koukos has a lot of respect for military organization and is glad for having had the opportunity to serve.