14-303 Garand Picture of the Day - Gen. Frank Sayles Bowen

[Mark in Rochester]

Frank Sayles Bowen was born at Fort McKinley, Philippine Islands, 4 March 1905. His father, Colonel Frank S. Bowen, was born in Ohio and was a graduate of United States Military Academy Class of 1900. He retired in San Francisco and died there 12 May 1947. His mother, Mildred Alford Bowen, was born in Tennessee and was a resident of Columbia, South Carolina, at the time of his death.




"Bill" (as he was known to his many friends), or "Mott” (as affectionately referred to hy classmates), attended grammar school at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and preparatory school at Kemper Military School, Missouri. He was appointed to the United States Military Academy from Nebraska. Upon graduation he was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Infantry. On 12 September 1926 he reported to the 13th Infantry, Camp Devens, Massachusetts. He became Commanding Officer Recruit Depot, Fort Warren, Massachusetts I Corps Area until June 1927, then attended Military Government School at Fort Ethan Allen, Vermont, from July to September 1927; then to Fort Andrews, Massachusetts, until May 1928. Back to Fort Ethan Allen for company duty Military Government School until October 1928. Remained there on company duty until January 1929. He reported to 31st Infantry, Philippine Islands 2 April 1929. While there he was promoted to first lieutenant December 1931. He was in Shanghai with the 31st from July to September 1932. From there he went to Fort Benning, Georgia, as a student in The Infantry School until May 1933, then to Big Basin, California, for Civilian Conservation Corps duty. He returned to Fort Benning, Georgia, for student officers Tank Section Infantry School. He was maintenance officer then Commanding Officer, Co D, 66th Infantry. He became a captain in the Infantry in 1936 and Commanding Officer, 2d Battalion, 66th Infantry. From September 1938 until June 1939 he was a student officer at Command and General Staff School, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, then became Regimental Plans and Training Officer at Presidio, California until October 1940. He then became aide-de-camp to General Eichelberger, Superintendent of the United States Military Academy, until January 1942. In February 1941 he became a major (Army of the United States). In January 1942 he became G1 77th Division, Fort Jackson, South Carolina, until June 1942. (He was promoted to lieutenant colonel, Army of the United States in February 1942.) He remained in Columbia, South Carolina, as C3 I Corps until August 1942. He went to the Southwest Pacific as C3 I Corps being promoted to colonel, Army of the United States 28 December 1942, He served in Papua, New Guinea, Hollandia and Dutch New Guinea until September 1944. He served as C3 of the Eighth Army on Leyte, Luzon, Philippine Islands and arrived in Japan for Occupation duty September 1945. He was promoted to brigadier general, Army of the United States, June 1945. After Japan he attended National War College 1947-1948. He went to Camp Carson, Colorado, where he served in the 14th Regimental Combat Unit from July 1948 to March 1950. In May 1950 he joined Headquarters, Airborne Division Fort Campbell, Kentucky. From 1950-1951 he was Commanding General 187th Regimental Combat Team, Airborne, in the Korean War. He was promoted to major general in 1951 and served in Paris with Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe until 1954 when he became Assistant Commanding General, 6th Armored Division, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, until 1955. From 1955 to 1956 he was Commanding General, 101 Airborne Division and Fort Jackson, South Carolina; from 1956-1958 he was Chief of Military Assistance Advisory Group in Taiwan. After Taiwan he was Commanding General of XII Army Corps, Atlanta, Georgia. He became Deputy Commander in Chief of Navy Forces East Atlantic and Mediterranean from 1960-1962, From London he returned to Third Army Headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia. He retired as major general in November 1962. As his record shows he had a most distinguished and rewarding career. He was one of our nation’s most decorated soldiers and had an outstanding World War II record.



His decorations included the
Distinguished Service Cross with oak leaf cluster,
Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, and
Silver Star with three oak leaf clusters,
Bronze Star Medal with oak leaf cluster and “V” device,
Air Medal with oak leaf cluster,
Purple Heart,
Army Commendation Ribbon,
American Presidential Unit Citation with oak leaf cluster, the
Combat Infantryman Badge with second award, the
Parachutists Badge with two stars denoting combat jumps.



His ribbons include the Yangkze Patrol (Navy), Asiatic Pacific with arrowhead, silver battle star and bronze star; Korean Service with arrowhead and four bronze stars. Medal for Military Merit (Philippines), Ulchi with gold star (Korean), Philippine Liberation with two bronze stars, World War II Victory Ribbon, Occupation Ribbon (Japan), American Defense; National Defense; and United Nations.



Bill’s retirement ceremony was at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and he made his retirement home in Columbia, South Carolina. He remained active in civilian life. For two years he was executive director of The South Carolina Safety Council and the following three years he served as director of the South Carolina Traffic Safety Program, a tremendous job well done. He was state chairman of the South Carolina Jobs for Veterans and also president and chairman of The South Carolina Cancer Society. He was chairman and member of the Board of Directors of The Salvation Army, and a member of the Kiwanis Club. He was the organizer and president of The South Carolina Retired Officers Association. For two years he was chairman of the Fort Jackson Retiree Council as liaison between the 8,000 enlisted and officer retirees in the area.



Bill was a beloved and efficient leader as proven by his military record, and later in jobs of important civilian status. He had a keen understanding of human nature and gave generously of his time and intellect in helping others achieve their goals. He thought things out carefully and made firm decisions. He was a gentleman in every way, possessing high principles, courage, integrity and kindness. He well deserved the great respect and love of his many service and civilian friends. He was truly a son of West Point as well as a West Pointer's son epitomizing Duty, Honor and Country.



He is survived by his widow, Elizabeth Kelly Bowen, his mother, Mildred Alford Bowen, both of Columbia, South Carolina; also by his son, Frank Sayles Bowen III, Class of 1958, United States Military Academy, now residing in Humble, Texas.

Information

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[Bill Hollinger]

M3 at Bowen's left elbow

[browningautorifle]

M3 at Bowen's left elbow

M3? Pardon? M2?

[Bill Hollinger]

M3? Pardon? M2?

Yes, of course. What was I thinking

[browningautorifle]

You were just overwhelmed by his majesty, and the flat slider sling on the M1 rifle in the backdrop...

[Mark in Rochester]

Frank Sayles Bowen III began his Army career at Ft. Benning, GA, on his birthday! Born to Natalie Hall Bowen and 1LT F.S. Bowen Jr., ’26, Frank was the third in a Bowen USMA Triad. His father, a pioneer of Army Airborne Forces operations in WWII and the Korean Conflict, became a major general. His grandfather, COL F.S. Bowen, Class of 1900, was lauded for his WWI tactical innovations using the machine gun in combat. Frank III, the “Army brat,” now started a legacy of his own.

Graduation on 4 Jun 1958 sent newly-minted second lieutenant of Armor Bowen off to Armor Basic, Parachute Training and the Army Aviation schools, leading to his qualifi*cation as both a fixed and rotary wing aviator. It was during Camp Gary, TX, flight school*ing that Frank met Ms. Gisela Anne Oldham. They were married in June 1959, and Anne was his companion through thick and thin.

Frank had assignments with the 2nd Ar*mored Division and the 14th Armored Cavalry Regiment in Germany, filling platoon leader and company/troop commander positions as well as staff assignments, with the 14th Aviation Company. He was selected for a tour as an aide-de-camp. After a short course and assignment to the Ft. Knox Staff Aviation Office, Frank left in 1966, as a captain, for his first Vietnam tour as an aviator with the 170th Assault Heli*copter Company. His next assignment was in Germany, with the 212th Artillery Group and the 16th Aviation Battalion. In 1969, he com*menced a furious second tour in RVN with the 4th Division’s 198th Brigade and as command*ing officer of an Air Cavalry Troop of the 1Oth ACR Returning to Ft. Bragg in 1970, Frank applied his combat experience, at the Combat Development Command to improve the qual*ity of Armor, Armored Cavalry, and Air Cav*alry units and the equipment of the Army of the Future. He completed the Command & General Staff College (Non-resident).