The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Master Sergeant Richard Eugene Bowman (ASN: ER-35966565), United States Army, for heroic achievement during ground operations against a hostile force as a member of Company L, 3d Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. On 1 June 1951, Company L was carrying out offensive operations from a small beachhead across the Hant’on River, near Pangori, Korea. During the heated engagement, when ammunition, food and water supplies became dangerously low, Sergeant Bowman volunteered to attempt a re-supply. Crossing a narrow foot bridge which was under a constant hostile barrage, he secured the necessary supplies and organized a carrying party of natives to assist him in transporting the vital materials. Twice, due to the intensity of hostile fire, the frightened laborers scattered for cover, but Sergeant Bowman, undaunted by the fusillade, regrouped the natives and urged them on. When the carrying party reached the fire-swept foot bridge, he directed numerous trips across it until his unit was in possession of all the supplies. Sergeant Bowman’s heroic leadership in this action reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.
Sponsored by:
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Cemetery:
Awards Received
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Bronze Star Medal
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Distinguished Service Cross
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Master SergeantBatallion:
3d BattalionRegiment:
7th Infantry RegimentDivision:
3d Infantry DivisionAction Date:
June 1, 1951
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Distinguished Service Cross
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Master SergeantBatallion:
3d BattalionRegiment:
7th Infantry RegimentDivision:
3d Infantry DivisionAction Date:
September 6 & 7, 1951
Headquarters, EIGHTH U.S. Army, Korea, General Orders No. 873 (November 10, 1951)The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Master Sergeant Richard Eugene Bowman (ASN: ER-35966565), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company L, 3d Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division. Master Sergeant Bowman distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Chorwon, Korea, on 6 and 7 September 1951. During the night of 6 September 1951, Company L’s defensive positions were attacked by a numerically superior and fanatically determined hostile force. Advancing under cover of a smoke screen, wave after wave of enemy troops hurled themselves against the friendly defenses. After the battle had raged for two hours with each enemy assault being successfully repulsed, the hostile force suddenly shifted its attack to a different sector of the defense perimeter. Under the terrific pressure of this attack, the perimeter was breached and the enemy began to pour through the gap. Realizing the dangerous threat posed by this break in the friendly lines, Sergeant Bowman immediately moved across the fire-swept terrain, organizing men for a counterattack. He then fearlessly led them forward in the face of the devastating enemy fire and engaged the hostile troops in hand-to-hand combat. Early on the morning of 7 September 1951 with the friendly forces fighting fiercely, Sergeant Bowman observed a fresh enemy force poised to attack his squad from the flank. Without hesitation, he charged the enemy troops single-handedly, effectively delaying them and diverting, their fire from his men until he fell, mortally wounded, by the intense hostile fire concentrated on him. His aggressive action so inspired the friendly troops that they successfully executed their counterattack and drove the enemy, from the area. The extraordinary heroism of Master Sergeant Bowman reflects the highest credit upon himself and is in keeping with the fine traditions of the military service.