The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Colonel (General Staff Corps) Frank Sayles Bowen, Jr. (ASN: 0-16434), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as G-3 with Headquarters, I Corps, in action against enemy forces at Buna, New Guinea on 12 December 1942. The Infantry was ready to attack across a bridge over a stream, where the enemy was located on the other side. The bridge appeared unsafe for crossing, and Colonel Bowen moved forward to reconnoiter while the unit waited. Despite enemy fire, undaunted he reached the bridge. As feared, he found that one span of the structure had been blown out. Returning to American lines, he organized and personally led an engineering detachment to repair it in the face of continued heavy enemy fire. In the action which followed, Colonel Bowen led the foremost infantry elements in the attack. Colonel Bowen’s extraordinary heroism, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, I Corps, and the United States Army.