THE WALL OF FACES

Rest in peace with the warriors. (Photo Credit: Tommy Foley)

.

2nd LIEUTENANT



JOSEPH B. BOWMAN





served with





COMPANY A



1st BATTALION



6th INFANTRY REGIMENT



" THE REGULARS "



198th INFANTRY BRIGADE ( LIGHT )



" BRAVE AND BOLD "



AMERICAL DIVISION





and was a posthumous recipient of the





DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS



PURPLE HEART



NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL



VIETNAM SERVICE MEDAL



REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM CAMPAIGN SERVICE MEDAL





and additionally was entitled to wear the





COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE











THE PROUD YOUNG VALOR THAT ROSE ABOVE THE MORTAL

AND THEN, AT LAST, WAS MORTAL AFTER ALL











YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN



NOR SHALL YOU EVER BE









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CITATION FOR POSTHUMOUS AWARD OF THE



DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS





The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross ( Posthumously ) to Joseph B. Bowman, Second Lieutenant ( Infantry ), U.S. 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 Da Nang. 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.







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R E M E M B R A N C E

LT. Bowman, it's hard to believe it's been 39 years since you were lost at Da Nang, that is a day I will never forget even though I try sometimes. Even though you weren't in my platoon, you were a great leader for the whole company. Rest my brother your deeds will not be forgotten.

Joseph, Although we never met,
I just want you to know you are
not forgotten. You gave the ultimate
sacrifice, your life for what you believed
in. Sleep well my friend, and thank you
for protecting the freedoms we enjoy
today.
A true American Hero.