BOWEN, HAMMETT L., JR.
Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company C, 2d Battalion,
14th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division
Place: Binh Duong Province, Republic of Vietnam
Date: 27 June 1969
Entered service at: Jacksonville, Florida
Born: 30 November 1947, La Grange, Georgia
Citation:
S/Sgt Bowen distinguished himself while serving as a platoon sergeant during
combat operations in Binh Duong Province, Republic of Vietnam. S/Sgt Bowen's
platoon was advancing on a reconnaissance mission into enemy controlled
terrain when it came under the withering crossfire of small arms and grenades
from an enemy ambush force. S/Sgt Bowen placed heavy suppressive fire on
the enemy positions and ordered his men to fall back. As the platoon was
moving back an enemy grenade was thrown amid S/Sgt. Bowen and 3 of his men.
Sensing the danger to his comrades, S/Sgt. Bowen shouted a warning to his
men and hurled himself on the grenade, absorbing the explosion with his
body while saving the lives of his fellow soldiers. S/Sgt Bowen's extraordinary
courage and concern for his men at the cost of his life served as an inspiration
to his comrades and are in the highest traditions of the military service
and the U.S. Army.
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--- General / Personal ---
Last name: BOWEN
First name: HAMMETT LEE JR
Home of Record (official): OCALA
State (official): FL
Date of Birth: Sunday, November 30, 1947
Sex: Male
Race: Caucasian
Marital Status: Single
--- Military ---
Branch: Army
Rank: SSG
Serial Number: 12891395
Component: RegularPosthumous promotion as indicated
Pay grade: E5
MOS (Military Occupational Specialty code): 11B40
--- Action ---
Start of Tour: Tuesday, March 4, 1969
Date of Casualty: Friday, June 27, 1969
Age at time of loss: 21
Casualty type: (A1) Hostile, died
Reason: Multiple fragmentation wounds (Ground casualty)
Country: South VietNam
Province: Binh Duong
The Wall: Panel 21W - Row 021
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