The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Ensign Robert L. Bowman (NSN: 0-354591), United States Naval Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in aerial flight as Pilot of a carrier-based night fighter plane in Fighting Squadron SIX (VF-6), assigned to night target combat air patrol over Okinawa and the Nansei Shoto, on 1 April 1945 and 3 April 1945. On 1 April 1945 he was launched from his carrier at night and despite darkness, searched out and made contact with three Japanese fighter planes at different times. He successfully intercepted the enemy fighter aircraft, shot down two of them and damaged the third plane. On 3 April 1945, he was launched from his carrier at dark, flew into the target area and searched out and made contact with two enemy torpedo planes. He successfully intercepted and shot down both Japanese planes. As a result of his efforts on these two successive night missions, four enemy aircraft were destroyed and a fifth was damaged. His courage, determination and skill were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.