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SSGT Hammett Lee Bowen Jr.
Monument

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SSGT Hammett Lee Bowen Jr. Famous memorial Veteran

Birth
LaGrange, Troup County, Georgia, USA
Death
27 Jun 1969 (aged 21)
Bình Dương, Vietnam
Monument
Washington, District of Columbia, District of Columbia, USA GPS-Latitude: 38.8791912, Longitude: -77.0571894
Plot
Panel 21W, Line 21
Memorial ID
View Source
Vietnam War Medal of Honor Recipient. His citation reads "S/Sgt. Bowen distinguished himself while serving as a platoon sergeant during combat operations in Binh Duong Province, Republic of Vietnam. S/Sgt. Bowen's platoon was advancing on a reconnaissance mission into enemy controlled terrain when it came under the withering crossfire of small arms and grenades from an enemy ambush force. S/Sgt. Bowen placed heavy suppressive fire on the enemy positions and ordered his men to fall back. As the platoon was moving back, an enemy grenade was thrown amid S/Sgt. Bowen and 3 of his men. Sensing the danger to his comrades, S/Sgt. Bowen shouted a warning to his men and hurled himself on the grenade, absorbing the explosion with his body while saving the lives of his fellow soldiers. S/Sgt. Bowen's extraordinary courage and concern for his men at the cost of his life served as an inspiration to his comrades and are in the highest traditions of the military service and the U.S. Army." He is buried at Restlawn Memory Gardens.
Vietnam War Medal of Honor Recipient. His citation reads "S/Sgt. Bowen distinguished himself while serving as a platoon sergeant during combat operations in Binh Duong Province, Republic of Vietnam. S/Sgt. Bowen's platoon was advancing on a reconnaissance mission into enemy controlled terrain when it came under the withering crossfire of small arms and grenades from an enemy ambush force. S/Sgt. Bowen placed heavy suppressive fire on the enemy positions and ordered his men to fall back. As the platoon was moving back, an enemy grenade was thrown amid S/Sgt. Bowen and 3 of his men. Sensing the danger to his comrades, S/Sgt. Bowen shouted a warning to his men and hurled himself on the grenade, absorbing the explosion with his body while saving the lives of his fellow soldiers. S/Sgt. Bowen's extraordinary courage and concern for his men at the cost of his life served as an inspiration to his comrades and are in the highest traditions of the military service and the U.S. Army." He is buried at Restlawn Memory Gardens.

Bio by: Garrett


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  • Maintained by: Find a Grave
  • Originally Created by: Garrett
  • Added: Jun 13, 2021
  • Find a Grave Memorial ID:
  • Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/228461820/hammett_lee-bowen: accessed ), memorial page for SSGT Hammett Lee Bowen Jr. (30 Nov 1947–27 Jun 1969), Find a Grave Memorial ID 228461820, citing National Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Washington, District of Columbia, District of Columbia, USA; Maintained by Find a Grave.