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Navy Federal Credit Union
Oscar
Lee
Owens
1877-02-21

–

1954-10-25

Born:

Isle of Wight

, 

Virginia

Home:

Richmond

, 

Virginia

Buried: 

Oklahoma City

, 

Oklahoma

Cemetery:

Memorial Park Cemetery

The son of a Baptist minister, Oscar Owens followed in his father’s footsteps. He received his A.B. degree from Richmond (Virginia) College in 1898, and his B.D. degree from Rochester Theological Seminary in 1901. He subsequently received an A.M. degree from Richmond College in 1912, and a PhD from Johns Hopkins University in 1916. He was ordained a Baptist minister. He entered military service as a sergeant in the Medical Detachment of the Virginia National Guard in 1916, and in March 1917 was commissioned as a U.S. Army chaplain, serving with the American Expeditionary Forces in France during World War I, where he earned a Silver Star.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Chaplain’s Corps)

    Regiment:

    6th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    5th Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    August 18, 1918
    GHQ, American Expeditionary Forces, Citation Orders No. 7 (June 3, 1919)

    By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), First Lieutenant (Chaplain’s Corps) Oscar Lee Owens, United States Army, is cited by the Commanding General, American Expeditionary Forces, for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. Chaplain Owens distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with the 6th Infantry, American Expeditionary Forces, in action on 18 August 1918, near Frapelle, France, in aiding the evacuation of the wounded under heavy enemy fire.