The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Major Robert Gordon Owens, Jr. (MCSN: 0-6308), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer and a Pilot of Marine Fighting Squadron TWO HUNDRED FIFTEEN (VMF-215), Marine Air Group FOURTEEN (MAG-14), FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in aerial combat against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands and Bismarck Archipelago Areas, from 5 January 1944 to 15 February 1944. A brilliant leader and aggressive airman, Major Owens executed numerous combat missions against the enemy, frequently in the face of heavy hostile anti-aircraft fire and strong aerial opposition. While carrying out these vital assignments during this period, he shot down seven enemy aircraft and probably destroyed five others. Maintaining his squadron at the peak of combat readiness through an efficient training schedule for pilots, he contributed materially to the outstanding success of his squadron in inflicting extensive losses upon the enemy and in providing effective fighter cover for our bombers. By his valiant leadership and unwavering devotion to duty, Major Owens upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
Brigadier GeneralAction Date:
December 5, 1966 – April 1, 1967
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Brigadier General Robert Gordon Owens, Jr. (MCSN: 0-6308), United States Marine Corps, was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Assistant Wing Commander, FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in the Republic of Vietnam from 5 December 1966 to 1 April 1967.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
Brigadier GeneralAction Date:
April 2, 1967 – December 19, 1967
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Brigadier General Robert Gordon Owens, Jr. (MCSN: 0-6308), United States Marine Corps, was awarded a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Chief of Staff, III Marine Amphibious Force, in the Republic of Vietnam from 2 April 1967 to 19 December 1967.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
Major GeneralAction Date:
January 1968 – July 1969
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major General Robert Gordon Owens, Jr. (MCSN: 0-6308), United States Marine Corps, was awarded a Third Gold Star in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Assistant Chief of Staff, G-3, Headquarters Marine Corps, from January 1968 until July 1969.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
MajorBatallion:
Marine Fighting Squadron 215 (VMF-215)Regiment:
Marine Air Group 14 (MAG-14)Division:
1st Marine Aircraft WingAction Date:
World War II
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major Robert Gordon Owens, Jr. (MCSN: 0-6308), United States Marine Corps, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight during World War II.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
MajorBatallion:
Marine Fighting Squadron 215 (VMF-215)Regiment:
Marine Air Group 14 (MAG-14)Division:
1st Marine Aircraft WingAction Date:
World War II
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major Robert Gordon Owens, Jr. (MCSN: 0-6308), United States Marine Corps, was awarded a Fourth Gold Star in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight during World War II.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
MajorBatallion:
Marine Fighting Squadron 215 (VMF-215)Regiment:
Marine Air Group 14 (MAG-14)Division:
1st Marine Aircraft WingAction Date:
World War II
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major Robert Gordon Owens, Jr. (MCSN: 0-6308), United States Marine Corps, was awarded a Third Gold Star in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight during World War II.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
MajorBatallion:
Marine Fighting Squadron 215 (VMF-215)Regiment:
Marine Air Group 14 (MAG-14)Division:
1st Marine Aircraft WingAction Date:
World War II
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major Robert Gordon Owens, Jr. (MCSN: 0-6308), United States Marine Corps, was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight during World War II.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
MajorBatallion:
Marine Fighting Squadron 215 (VMF-215)Regiment:
Marine Air Group 14 (MAG-14)Division:
1st Marine Aircraft WingAction Date:
World War II
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major Robert Gordon Owens, Jr. (MCSN: 0-6308), United States Marine Corps, was awarded a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight during World War II.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
Major GeneralAction Date:
September 1969 – August 1972
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major General Robert Gordon Owens, Jr. (MCSN: 0-6308), United States Marine Corps, was awarded a Fourth Gold Star in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States from July 1969 to August 1972.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
Brigadier GeneralAction Date:
July 1, 1965 – November 1966
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Brigadier General Robert Gordon Owens, Jr. (MCSN: 0-6308), United States Marine Corps, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as a member of the Pacific Division Operations Directorate from July 1, 1965 to November 1966.