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TAPS
Fading light dims the sight,
And a star gems the sky,
Gleaming bright.
From afar drawing nigh,
Falls the night.
Day is done, gone the sun,
From the lake, From the hills,
From the sky.
All is well, safely rest,
God is nigh.
Then good night, Peaceful night,
Till the light of the dawn
Shineth bright,
God is near, do not fear,
Friend, good night. |
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Born: September 13, 1920
at Greenville, SC
Entered Service in the US
Marine Corps from South Carolina
Earned
The Medal of Honor During World War II For heroism November
01, 1943 at Cape Torokina, Bougainville, Solomon Islands
Died: November
01, 1943 at the age of 23
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During
extremely hazardous landing operations at Cape Torokina,
Bougainville, Solomon Islands, Sergeant Owens was forced to pass
within disastrous range of a strongly protected,
well-camouflaged Japanese 75-mm regimental gun strategically
located on the beach. Our landing units were suffering heavy
losses in casualties and boats while attempting to approach the
beach, and the success of the operations was seriously
threatened. Observing the ineffectiveness of marine rifle and
grenade attacks against the incessant, devastating fire of the
enemy weapon and aware of the urgent need for prompt action,
Sergeant Owens unhesitatingly determined to charge the gun
bunker from the front and, calling on four of his comrades to
assist him, carefully placed them to cover the fire of the two
adjacent hostile bunkers. Choosing a moment that provided a fair
opportunity for passing these bunkers, he immediately charged
into the mouth of the steadily firing cannon and entered the
emplacement through the fire port, driving the guncrew out of
the rear door and insuring their destruction before he himself
was mortally wounded.
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