The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to Colonel (General Staff Corps) Frank Sayles Bowen, Jr. (ASN: 0-16434), United States Army, for gallantry in action While serving as G-3 (Operations Officer, EIGHTH U.S. Army, in action against the enemy in the vicinity of ***, ***, ***, on 3 February 1945. Colonel Bowen advanced with the forward elements of a Parachute Glider Regiment moving forward to secure a juncture with a Parachute Regiment dropped on ***, to secure first-hand information as to enemy dispositions and progress of the attack. Without regard for his own safety, he continued moving forward to make his observation although exposed to heavy enemy rifle, machine gun and artillery fire. His courageous actions, coolness under fire and untiring efforts in securing accurate information and first-hand estimates of enemy dispositions contributed materially to the success of the operations. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Colonel Bowen, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Distinguished Service Cross
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Distinguished Service Cross
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Army Distinguished Service Medal
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Army Distinguished Service Medal
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Army Distinguished Service Medal
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Service Cross
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Brigadier General [then Colonel]Regiment:
187th Airborne Regimental Combat TeamDivision:
11th Airborne DivisionAction Date:
October 20, 1950
General Headquarters Far East Command: General Orders No. 47 (October 22, 1950)The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Service Cross to Brigadier General [then Colonel] Frank Sayles Bowen, Jr., United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as Commanding Officer of the 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team, 11th Airborne Division. Brigadier General Bowen distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the Republic of Korea on 20 October 1950. General Bowen gallantly risking his life, personally conducted the daring maneuvers of more than four thousand paratroopers approximately thirty-five miles behind the enemy front lines. After six hours’ delay caused by extremely adverse weather conditions, the perfectly coordinated airdrop was accomplished with an absolute minimum loss of personnel and equipment. General Bowen parachuted with his men to pre-designated drop zones in the Sukchon-Songchon area known to contain enemy ground forces and anti-aircraft batteries. Concentrating his forces in a strategic move to block the enemy’s main escape communications and transportation lines, including the two road and rail lines leading north out of Pyongyang. As a result of General Bowen’s dauntless and inspirational leadership, this operation was highly successful and effected the immediate seizure of initial objectives. General Bowen’s heroic and exemplary action in constantly exposing himself to danger while personally leading his units reflects great credit on himself and the military service.
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Distinguished Service Cross
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Colonel (General Staff Corps)Division:
I CorpsAction Date:
December 12, 1942
Headquarters, Southwest Pacific Area, General Orders No. 4 (January 10, 1943)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.
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Army Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Brigadier GeneralAction Date:
September 1950 – June 1951
Department of the Army, General Orders No. 85 (September 25, 1951)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Brigadier General Frank Sayles Bowen, Jr. (ASN: 0-16434), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a position of great responsibility as Commanding General, 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team, in Korea, from September 1950 to June 1951. As one of the key combat commanders, he displayed leadership, planning foresight, operational skill and tactical ability in the employment of his unit against the enemy. General Bowen’s practice of tact and diplomacy promoted harmonious relations withy units and agencies of other nations comprising the United Nations Command. His scope of the conflict enabled him to instill and inspire a crusading spirit in his officers and men. Demonstrating exemplary courage and aggressiveness in personally leading his Combat Team in the amphibious landing at Inchon and the liberation of Seoul, in combat air drops at Sunchon, Sukchon, and Munsan-ni which sealed off enemy escape routes and secured guerrilla infested areas, General Bowen contributed much to the fighting renown of his unit, to the overall strategy, and to the success of the campaign waged by the EIGHTH United States Army in Korea. The notable achievements attained by General Bowen reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.
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Army Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Brigadier GeneralDivision:
VIII ArmyAction Date:
1944 – 1946
War Department, General Orders No. 25 (1946)(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Brigadier General Frank Sayles Bowen, Jr. (ASN: 0-16434), United States Army, was awarded the Army Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility as G-3, EIGHTH Army, from 1944 to 1945. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Bowen and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Army.
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Army Distinguished Service Medal
Department of the Army, General Orders No. 64 (November 13, 1962)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Major General Frank Sayles Bowen, Jr. (ASN: 0-16434), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Bowen and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Army.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Colonel (General Staff Corps)Division:
I CorpsAction Date:
June 21 & 22, 1944
Headquarters, I Corps, General Orders No. 28 (July 2, 1944)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Colonel (General Staff Corps) Frank Sayles Bowen, Jr. (ASN: 0-16434), United States Army, for gallantry in while serving as G-3 (Operations Officer), in action against the enemy at Biak Island, Southwest Pacific Area, on 21 and 22 June 1944. When aerial reconnaissance was necessary to clarify the tactical situation, Colonel Bowen volunteered for the hazardous flights, despite knowledge that planes had previously met with heavy anti-aircraft fire in that area. Despite 20-mm. and machine gun fire, Colonel Bowen directed his pilot to fly low directly over the area. The valuable information gathered in these daring flights permitted him to give his Commanding Officer a clear, accurate and complete report of subsequent tactical decisions. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Colonel Bowen, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Colonel (General Staff Corps)Division:
I CorpsAction Date:
World War II
Headquarters, I Corps, General Orders No. 28 (1944)(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Colonel (General Staff Corps) Frank Sayles Bowen, Jr. (ASN: 0-16434), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as G-3 (Operations Officer), I Corps, in action against the enemy in the South Pacific Theater of Operations, in 1944. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Colonel Bowen, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Brigadier GeneralRegiment:
187th Regimental Combat TeamDivision:
11th Airborne DivisionAction Date:
February 14, 1951
Headquarters, X Corps, General Orders No. 34 (February 25, 1951)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Silver Star to Brigadier General Frank Sayles Bowen, Jr. (ASN: 0-16434), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry in action as Commanding General of the 187th Regimental Combat Team, 11th Airborne Division, on 14 February 1951, in Korea. General Bowen, while directing the 187th Regimental Combat Team, with skillful determination, organized and directed the defense of the area north and northwest of Wonju, Korea. While occupying and defending the area then under constant enemy pressure, General Bowen repeatedly exposed himself to enemy small-arms fire while visiting and directing the efforts of the front line units. His display of gallant and fearless leadership reflects great credit upon himself and is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.