The President of the United States
in the name of The Congress
takes pleasure in presenting the
Medal of Honor
to
BOWEN, HAMMETT L., JR.
Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant,
U.S. Army, Company C, 2d Battalion, 14th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division. Place and
date: Binh Duong Province, Republic of Vietnam, 27 June 1969. Entered service at:
Jacksonville, Fla. Born: 30 November 1947, Lagrange, Ga.
Citation:
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.
|
