The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Corporal Franklin Dale Owen (ASN: 37106114), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with the 991st Field Artillery Battalion, 3d Armored Division, in action against enemy forces in Belgium, on 4 September 1944, in Belgium. Corporal Owen was a member of a detachment which was surrounded by a large number of Germans attempting an escape through a Belgian village. Heavily outnumbered, the group was ordered to infiltrate back to safety. Volunteering to remain behind, Corporal Owen, with complete disregard for his own safety, heroically covered his comrades’ withdrawal until he was severely wounded by a burst of enemy machine gun fire at close range. Gallantly, he continued to fire his own gun until he collapsed. Corporal Owen lost his life as a result of this action. By his unflinching devotion to duty, personal valor and dauntless spirit, Corporal Owen exemplified the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States reflecting great credit upon himself and the United States Army.