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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