A CITY IN CRISIS : Army Chief Says Preventing Loss of Life Is Top Priority
Maj. Gen. Marvin L. Covault, 51, took command of all the military forces in Los Angeles Friday night on orders from President Bush.
Covault’s assignment as chief of the Joint Task Force Los Angeles puts 4,500 active duty Marines and Army soldiers at his command. He also has assumed authority over more than 6,000 National Guard troops called to Southern California to help quell the rioting.
“The biggest concern we all have is loss of life,” Covault said in an interview Saturday. “The second concern is there is still an unstable environment here for the great people of this city.”
A much-decorated Army officer, Covault served in Panama, Germany, Hawaii and completed two tours in Vietnam.
He serves as the commanding general of the 7th Infantry Division Light at Ft. Ord. Covault also is commanding general of the Ft. Ord base.
Covault, a native of Guthrie County, Iowa, is married and has two daughters. He graduated from the University of Iowa in 1962, holds a master’s degree in public administration from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania and has completed course work at several Army schools, including the Army War College.
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