By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Corporal Dewey Owens (ASN: 553718), United States Army, is cited (Posthumously) by the Commanding General, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the World War I Victory Medals awarded him. While serving with Company B, 8th Machine Gun Battalion, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, on the night of 14 – 15 July 1918, Corporal Owens was in charge of his squad and had his gun in position. While the enemy barrage was coming down he took his gun into the dugout. In the early morning of 15 July, when the enemy effected a crossing of the Marine he put his gun into position under a very heavy fire. In doing so he lost some of his men. After having his gun in position he personally to the injured men back to the dressing statin over a shell-swept road. Returning, he did exceptional work in maintaining order and coolness in his squad and keeping his gun manned. A shell struck his gun, putting it out of action and causing further casualties. Corporal Owens immediately left his cover, went to a nearby artillery post, borrowed a gun from them and put it into position. By the time this gun was placed in position, all members of his squad were casualties. Corporal Owens took a runner with him to the gun emplacement, explained to him how to feed the gun and himself acted as gunner. A shell splinter damaged this gun and injured the runner. Corporal Owens immediately set about repairing the gun and while doing this was himself killed. [A Distinguished Service Cross was awarded for this action.]