brannow Posted November 9, 2019 Share #1 Posted November 9, 2019 I thought I would share an amazing WWII US medal grouping. Its to USN pilot Lt. Russel Earl Bowen from Winneshiek County, Iowa. Lt. Bowen was killed in action in October of 1944. He was missing in action. His remains were located exhumed and re-interned in Sioux Falls, SD where he grew up. Enjoy!Bill RannowMpls, MN Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brannow Posted November 9, 2019 Author Share #2 Posted November 9, 2019 the I had to host because the files were apparently too large Bill Rannow Mpls, MN Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dskjl Posted November 9, 2019 Share #3 Posted November 9, 2019 What a wonderful group, the engraving is really beautiful, particularly the DFC. Well done! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottplen Posted November 9, 2019 Share #4 Posted November 9, 2019 Outstanding group to a brave airman ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irish Posted November 9, 2019 Share #5 Posted November 9, 2019 Indeed a wonderful grouping. The engraving is spectacular. Thanks for posting Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted November 9, 2019 Share #6 Posted November 9, 2019 Thank you for showing us this group. There are very few examples of Navy DFC engraving posted on the forum. It’s not for lack of trying, they are just really rare. Kurt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottplen Posted November 9, 2019 Share #7 Posted November 9, 2019 It must have taken a long time to do the engraving on the DFC ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobgee Posted November 9, 2019 Share #8 Posted November 9, 2019 Outstanding! R.I.P. Lt. Bowen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Brannan Posted November 9, 2019 Share #9 Posted November 9, 2019 A lasting tribute to a fallen hero. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wharfmaster Posted November 9, 2019 Share #10 Posted November 9, 2019 Amazing. Rest in Peace. Wharf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Dentino Posted November 11, 2019 Share #11 Posted November 11, 2019 Great grouping. That engraved DFC is a work of art. Very exceptional and hard to find grouping and a great add to your collection for sure! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aerialbridge Posted November 11, 2019 Share #12 Posted November 11, 2019 Incredible grouping, thanks for posting! The engraving on that DFC reminds me of the best of engraving of that period that might be seen on a MOH-- absolutely stunning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brannow Posted November 13, 2019 Author Share #13 Posted November 13, 2019 Thanks for all the comments guys! Bill Rannow Mpls, MN Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katieony Posted November 13, 2019 Share #14 Posted November 13, 2019 A wonderful and historic group! The engraving on the Navy posthumous awards is truly impressive. Thank you for posting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teamski Posted November 13, 2019 Share #15 Posted November 13, 2019 An incredible grouping! -Ski Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Collector .45 Posted November 13, 2019 Share #16 Posted November 13, 2019 What an absolutely stunning group! Thank you for posting it. - Henry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MWalsh Posted November 13, 2019 Share #17 Posted November 13, 2019 He was a pilot in VPB-101, flying the PB4Y-1, which was the Navy version of the B-24J Liberator. The Camotes Islands are straight west of Leyte, south / southwest of Ormoc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MWalsh Posted November 13, 2019 Share #18 Posted November 13, 2019 His Findagrave entry has his obituary. NAVY USNR VETERAN- WW2- SECOND LTThe body of Lt. Russell E. Bowen, USN, son of Mr. and Mrs. Earl T.Bowen, 239 North French Ave., and a former Augustana football star, will arrive in Sioux Falls this afternoon. Lt. Bowen, a Navy flier, was returned to Sioux Falls from the Philippines for services and reburial.Lt. Bowen lost his life on Poro Island in the Philippines during a bombing mission. He was pilot of a B-24 Liberator. He was reportedmissing on October 26, 1944, but was later declared officially dead when his body was recovered. He was 26 years of age when he lost his life.Lt. Bowen was born December 27, 1918, at Decorah, IA., and came to Sioux Falls as a boy. He attended schools here and was graduated from Augustana college in 1940. He was one of three Bowen brothers who played guard on Augustana football teams.The first flier in South Dakota to solo under the CAA flight program, he was appointed an aviation cadet at Pensacola, Fla., on January 10, 1941. He was commissioned an ensign on June 6, 1941, and went overseas in 1943. He was a member of bombing squadron 101. In addition to the Purple Heart, he was awarded the Air Medal and the Distinguished Flying Cross. The latter award was recommended Lt. Bowen for a single bombing mission which destroyed a medium cargo ship, a torpedo plane, two luggers and a power boat. He was also given the Navy Unit Commendation as well as several defense and campaign medals.Surviving Lt. Bowen are his parents; a sister Alice, at home; and three brothers, Francis of Gainesville, Fla., and Jean and Dale, both of Sioux Falls. Francis and Jean were Navy and Marine fliers duringthe war.Services for the returned flier will be held at the Miller Funeral home Thursday at 2 p. m. The Rev. A. R. Eschliman of the East Side Methodist will officiate. Mrs. C. B. Van Ausdall will be organist with Mrs. Henry Saure as soloist. Burial will be in the Hills of Rest. The American Legion will conduct graveside services. Pallbearers will be Barney Boos, Allen Bresee, Joe Foss, Duane Corning, Everett Zellers, Spence Sandvig, Elliot Muxfelt and Le Roy Henning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MWalsh Posted November 13, 2019 Share #19 Posted November 13, 2019 Interesting to see that Joe Foss, WW2 Marine Ace and Medal of Honor recipient who was from South Dakota, was one of his pallbearers when his remains came home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Fushi Posted December 28, 2021 Share #20 Posted December 28, 2021 That is one amazing grouping Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortsix Posted December 29, 2021 Share #21 Posted December 29, 2021 Thought you all might want to see his picture - newspapers.com - December 1944 - August 1948 - RIP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
collectsmedals Posted December 29, 2021 Share #22 Posted December 29, 2021 Amazing group, and I had no idea Navy pilots flew Liberators. Learned something new! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hermanus Posted December 30, 2021 Share #23 Posted December 30, 2021 What a very nice medal group with a beautifull engraved DFC. The story of Russ Bowlen also enfolds nicely. And indeed the Navy flying Liberators is also new for me. Regards Herman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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