During the war, Dimitrios Kouvaris volunteered in the Greek Army despite being an American citizen. From August 1942 to 1944, he fought many battles against the Axis forces. He survived a German firing squad when a bullet hit him in the shoulder and he was left for dead. An excellent swimmer, Kouvaris led British commandos in the operation that was depicted in the movie The Guns of Navarone. A generous man, he donated his official compensation from the Greek government, keeping only his certificate of service for his contribution to the liberation of Europe. He is the father-in-law of Philip Christopher.