The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Vice Admiral Harold Gardiner Bowen, Jr. (NSN: 0-72395), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Commander Antisubmarine Warfare Force, Pacific (COMASWFORPAC), from July 1967 to November 1969, a period characterized by a steady and significant rise in the submarine threat in the Pacific, and an equally strong and increasing antisubmarine warfare-force response to meet the challenge. Under Vice Admiral Bowen’s leadership, the direction of antisubmarine warfare and control of shipping in the Pacific was strengthened and increasingly unified to provide the centralized authority that success in modern naval warfare demands. In consonance with this concept, Vice Admiral Bowen directed the collocation of the Oceanographic System Pacific with COMASWFORPAC; implemented the initial phases of installation of an antisubmarine-warfare command and control system; promoted technological advances in the Pacific; established meaningful and consistent policy for antisubmarine-warfare development; and, despite priorities committed to the conflict in Southeast Asia, maintained the readiness of antisubmarine-warfare forces and subordinate control authorities in the exercise of this vital mission. During the period 20 January to 11 April 1969, Vice Admiral Bowen served as President of a Court of Inquiry convened by the Commander in Chief, United States Pacific Fleet to inquire into the circumstances connected with the boarding and detention of U.S.S. PUEBLO (AGER-2). His performance in executing the responsibilities inherent in this extremely complicated assignment was flawless. As a result of his outstanding efforts, the country and the Navy possess a complete and perceptive analysis and record of this tragic incident. By his inspiring leadership, exemplary professionalism, and untiring dedication, Vice Admiral Bowen rendered invaluable service to the Navy and to his country, in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Awards Received
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Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
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Legion of Merit
All Hands (November 1968)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Rear Admiral Harold Gardiner Bowen, Jr. (NSN: 0-72395), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Development) from June 1965 to May 1967. Exercising dynamic leadership and outstanding professional competence, Rear Admiral Bowen was eminently successful in the management of the development effort of the United States Navy during a period of rapidly increasing growth and activity in the field of Research and Development. Responsible for modifications in organizational structure, which increased responsiveness both to the needs of the fleet and to the long-term future, Rear Admiral Bowen, as Chairman of the NATO Naval Armaments Group, initiated many organizational innovations which were accepted and utilized by the Naval Group, and used as models for the other Military Research and Development Groups in their transition from an old to a new organization during most difficult times for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. His meetings with the Naval Ministries of our NATO allies, and with those of other friendly nations, were productive in their cooperativeness, and resulted in greatly improved navy-to-navy relations in the Research and Development field. Rear Admiral Bowen acted as principal advisor to the Chief of Naval Operations, and as principal naval advisor to the Assistant Secretary of the Navy (R&D) on Research and Development, rendering invaluable service in relating the technical world to the operational world in order to bring the Navy of the future into being. By his perceptive leadership, outstanding judgment, and inspiring devotion to duty, Rear Admiral Bowen upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CaptainDivision:
U.S.S. Maddox (DD-622)Action Date:
February 27 – August 15, 1953
All Hands (October 1954)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Captain Harold Gardiner Bowen, Jr. (NSN: 0-72395), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States and to the United Nations Command as Commander Wonsan Defense and Blockading Unit, embarked in his flagship the U.S.S. MADDOX (DD-622), during combat operations against enemy North Korean and Chinese Communist Forces in the Korean Theater from 27 February 1953 to 15 August 1953. On one occasion, while under fire from four enemy guns of large caliber, in Wonsan Harbor, Korea, the MADDOX received a direct hit and many near misses. Captain Bowen remained on the bridge and ordered the MADDOX to return the fire until the ship had to withdraw to attend a critically wounded man, thereby gaining one hit on the enemy guns and causing considerable damage to the enemy. Captain Bowen’s superior judgment and competence in which he ordered the retaliatory action against the enemy shore batteries contributed immeasurably to the success of the United Nations efforts against the enemy forces. His inspiring leadership and steadfast devotion to duty were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Captain Bowen is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Vice AdmiralAction Date:
November 1969 – October 1972
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Vice Admiral Harold Gardiner Bowen, Jr. (NSN: 0-72395), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States, first as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (Intelligence), Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Administration) and then as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (Resources and Management), Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Intelligence), during the period November 1969 to October 1972. Vice Admiral Bowen was responsible for establishing and directing resource management over the full array of intelligence resources of the Department of Defense. In carrying out this responsibility, he devised and applied a new management structure which, for the first time, would bring the totality of these resources under a single coherent management system. Despite increasingly severe budgetary restraints, his foresightedness and wise judgments in the management of resources under this system have sustained and increased the strength and effectiveness of vital intelligence programs. By his distinguished performance of duty, Vice Admiral Bowen contributed essentially to the security posture of the United States and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.