THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. Your Distinguished Service Cross citation attests to your courage and devotion to your fellow soldiers. May you rest in eternal peace.

Bruce, I never met you in person but as a kid I was always told stories of you. From your bravery to just your childhood, my Grandma Polly always said she saw a lot of you in me. Ultimately it is what inspired me to join the military and later accept a commission. Thank you for your sacrifice. Thank you to those that served beside you and have shared stories over the years. - Josh

Second Lieutenant Joseph Bruce Bowman, Served with the 2nd Platoon, Company A, 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, 198th Infantry Brigade, Americal Division, United States Army Vietnam.

DEAR LIEUTENANT BOWMAN,
THANKS FOR YOUR SERVICE AS AN INFANTRY UNIT COMMANDER. TODAY IS ARMED FORCES DAY. MEMORIAL DAY IS APPROACHING, BUT ON ALL DAYS WE SHOULD HONOR YOU. 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.

Joseph B. Bowman
Date of birth: 21-Mar-44
Date of death: Killed in Action
Home of record: Roanoke Virginia
Status: KIA

AWARDS AND CITATIONS

Distinguished Service Cross

Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Second Lieutenant (Infantry) Joseph B. Bowman (ASN: 0-5340137), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company A, 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry, 198th Infantry Brigade (Light), Americal Division. Second Lieutenant Bowman distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 8 February 1968 as an infantry platoon leader during a combat mission near DaNang. A Marine platoon had become engaged by enemy forces operating from a nearby village, and Lieutenant Bowman led his troops to reinforce the beleaguered unit. As his element approached the village across a large open rice paddy, a North Vietnamese Army battalion sprang a savage ambush on it from entrenched and concealed positions in a tree line and, at the same time, pounded it with a withering barrage of mortar, rocket and automatic weapons fire from the village. The devastating fusillade wounded Lieutenant Bowman and many of his men. Disregarding his wounds and safety, he fearlessly moved among his troops and directed them to defensive positions behind a paddy dike. He then began to evacuate the casualties, and the insurgents unleashed a series of fanatic human wave assaults on his perimeter. Bullets struck all around him as he moved from position to position and inspired his men to repel the determined attacks. The enemy finally overran his lines despite the heroic defense, and Lieutenant Bowman led his men in fierce hand-to-hand battle that inflicted heavy casualties on the attackers. He was mortally wounded while gallantly leading his troops in close combat against a numerically superior hostile force. Second Lieutenant Bowman's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

General Orders: Headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 2342 (May 17, 1968)

Action Date: 8-Feb-68

Service: Army

Rank: Second Lieutenant

Company: Company A

Battalion: 1st Battalion

Regiment: 6th Infantry Regiment, 198th Infantry Brigade (Light)

Division: Americal Division