THE WALL OF FACES

DEAR PFC BOWEN,
I HOPE YOUR PHOTO GETS PUT HERE BECAUSE THIS WALL OF FACES REALLY NEEDS YOUR FACE. THANKS FOR YOUR SERVICE AS A MILITARY POLICEMAN.
TODAY IS THE 42ND ANNIVERSARY OF THE MAYAQUEZ INCIDENT - THE LAST BIG BATTLE OF THE WAR BIG SIGH. IT HAS BEEN FAR TOO LONG FOR ALL OF YOU TO HAVE BEEN GONE. WE APPRECIATE ALL YOU HAVE DONE, AND YOUR SACRIFICE. WATCH OVER THE U.S.A., IT STILL NEEDS YOUR COURAGE. GOD BLESS YOU. MAY THE ANGELS BE AT YOUR SIDE. REST IN PEACE. YOU ARE ALL IN OUR PRAYERS.

Mike Bowen was a special young man who willingly traded his life for the life of others. The word "hero" often is casually thrown around, but in Mike's case it is an apt description. He wore No. 18 for the Seminole County football team, and I remember Mike in the green and white uniform on the field in Donalsonville, Ga. Mike lived in Iron City, which is just a few miles from Donalsonville and an even smaller community. My mother tutored Mike in algebra in the mid-1960s and I never will forget tossing the football in the back yard with Mike and my father. A young boy of 7 years old stands pretty tall when 2 high-school quarterbacks share their time with him. Many years have passed since those days, but my memories of that time are forever a part of my personal history. Mike and my father both are gone, but I think of them daily. Thank you to all who have posted here; you salute a true American hero. I extend a special thank you to the gentleman who posted A True Hero; it is obvious my words about Mike did not fall on deaf ears.

Dear PFC Roland Michael Bowen, sir

As an American, I would like to thank you for your service and for your sacrifice made on behalf of our wonderful country. The youth of today could gain much by learning of heroes such as yourself, men and women whose courage and heart can never be questioned.

May God allow you to read this, and may He allow me to someday shake your hand when I get to Heaven to personally thank you. May he also allow my father to find you and shake your hand now to say thank you; for America, and for those who love you.

With respect, and the best salute a civilian can muster for you, Sir

Curt Carter

I heard Roland's story from a person who idolized his own father and Michael. Both were high school quarterbacks. The presentation was about Vietnam at Heritage Day at De Soto Memorial Park in Bradenton, Florida on Sat 30 March 2013.

Awarded posthumously for actions during the Vietnam War

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class Roland Michael Bowen (ASN: US-53451943), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force while serving with Company A, 716th Military Police Battalion, 89th Military Police Group, 18th Military Police Brigade in the Republic of Vietnam. Private First Class Bowen distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 31 January 1968 while serving as assistant machine gunner of a military police alert team on a reaction mission during the battle for Saigon. While checking and securing a billets complex in the Cholen-Tan Son Nhut sector, his patrol received an urgent request to reinforce a sister element that was heavily engaged in a firefight with the Viet Cong near the Phu Tho race track. An enemy force savagely attacked his unit as it moved toward the embattled troops, and his vehicle was hit and disabled by intense automatic weapons fire. Heedless of his safety, Private Bowen remained on the jeep despite a hail of enemy fire and removed the machine gun. Braving a withering barrage, he advanced twenty-five meters with his team leader and set up the gun in an exposed position to draw the enemy fire away from his comrades. His furious fighting suppressed the Viet Cong fire and allowed the other patrol members to reach cover. He was mortally wounded while unhesitantly and unselfishly placing the safety of his fellow soldiers above his own in the heat of battle. Private First Class Bowen's gallantry in action, at the cost of his life, was in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

General Orders: Headquarters, U.S. Army Vietnam, General Orders No. 1103 (March 13, 1968)

Action Date: January 31, 1968

Service: Army