The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Infantry) Orloff Lake Bowen, Jr. (ASN: 0-23052), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as Commanding Officer of an Infantry Company of the 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy Guadalcanal, in the Solomon Islands, in March 1943. While leading a reconnaissance patrol of four men behind enemy lines, Captain Bowen came suddenly on an enemy machine gun position containing 20 enemy soldiers. He quickly opened fire with his pistol, killing at least one of the enemy and wounding others. Because of the suddenness and accuracy of the pistol fire, the patrol was able to withdraw before the surprised group could return fire. In spite of the danger from enemy fire, Captain Bowen continued to lead the patrol to complete the reconnaissance of the terrain. Two days later, using the information obtained while out on patrol, and under adverse weather conditions, he personally led his company in a successful offensive against the enemy. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Captain Bowen, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.
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Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Captain (Infantry)Regiment:
35th Infantry RegimentDivision:
25th Infantry DivisionAction Date:
July 24 – 25, 1943
Headquarters, U.S. Army Forces in the South Pacific Area, General Orders No. 67 (1943) & General Orders No. 395 (1943)(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Captain (Infantry) Orloff Lake Bowen, Jr. (ASN: 0-23052), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as Commanding Officer of an Infantry Company of the 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy at New Georgia, in the Solomon Islands, on 24 – 25 July 1943. During a reconnaissance mission behind Japanese lines, Captain Bowen set off smoke signals to indicate Japanese targets for Allied airmen. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Captain Bowen, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Major (Infantry)Division:
XIV CorpsAction Date:
January 30, 1944
Headquarters, U.S. Army Forces in the South Pacific Area, General Orders No. 504 (March 15, 1944)(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Major (Infantry) Orloff Lake Bowen, Jr. (ASN: 0-23052), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as G-3 (Operations Officer), FOURTEENTH Corps, at Bougainville, Solomon Islands, on 30 January 1944. With other staff officers, Major Bowen accompanied the first wave of an infantry and tank attack, to make a study of its progress, when the entire party was killed. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Major Bowen, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.