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First Name: Harry

Last Name: Bowman

Birthplace: Wood Ridge, NJ, USA

Gender: Male

Branch: Navy (present)

Rating: Hospital Corpsman Petty Officer 3rd Class

Middle Name: Thomas



Date of Birth: 31 August 1945

Date of Death: 09 May 1968

Rank or Rate: Petty Officer Third Class

Years Served:
Harry Thomas Bowman II

   
Engagements:
•  Vietnam War (1960 - 1973)

Biography:

Harry Thomas Bowman II

Hospitalman Third Class, U.S. Navy

Harry Thomas Bowman II was born on 31 August 1945 in Wood Ridge, NJ. He was the son of Harry and Gertrude Bowman. His home of record is Wood Ridge, NJ. He had two sisters, Judith and Patricia. He graduated from Wood Ridge High School in 1963.

He went to college in Tennessee. Harry spent two years at Tusculum College in Greenville and one at the University of Knoxville. While in college, he was in the ROTC.

In 1966, Harry left college and enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He was a Hospitalman (HN) and served as a medic with M Company, Third Battalion, Fifth Marines, First Marine Division. Bowman had a deep and abiding faith; he acted as a Chaplain for his Marines in the field.

On 9 May 1968, during Operation Houston II, at Hai Van Pass, Thua Thien Province, Republic of South Vietnam, Bowman's unit came under intense fire from a well-entrenched force. Observing three injured Marines lying in an open area exposed to the hostile fire, Bowman maneuvered across the fire-swept terrain and carried the most seriously injured man to a position of safety. Returning to the hazardous area, Bowman moved the second Marine to a position of relative safety. Before reaching the remaining casualty, he was wounded. Despite his injuries, Bowman steadfastly continued toward his fallen comrade until he was mortally wounded by heavy enemy fire.

Bowman was promoted posthumously to the rank of Hospitalman Third Class (HM3). He was awarded the Silver Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the National Defense Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Service Medal, the Cross of Gallantry/w Palm and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Harry Bowman was awarded the Silver Star Medal posthumously. His citation reads:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Corpsman with Company M, Third Battalion, Fifth Marines, First Marine Division. On 9 May 1968, HM3 Bowman's unit came under intense fire from a well-entrenched force wounding several Marines. Observing three Marines lying in an open area exposed to the hostile fire, he courageously maneuvered across the fire-swept terrain and carried the most seriously wounded Marine to a position of relative safety and, before reaching the remaining casualty, was wounded. Despite his injuries, he steadfastly continued toward his fallen comrade and was mortally wounded by heavy enemy fire. By his extraordinary courage, determination, and devotion to duty despite extreme personal danger, HM3 Bowman saved the lives of two Marines and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country.

The Marines of the 3/5 honored Bowman with a memorial presentation at their reunion in Georgia in May 2002. My sister and I with members of our families attended and received the memorial case that was presented by Sgt. Maj. Wright and Gen. Ray Davis. We are most grateful to them for honoring our family in this way. They are such special people and we feel blessed to have them in our lives. We had virtually no information about the end of Harry's life and we are grateful that his beloved Marine brothers have shared their memories of him.

Written by Patricia Bowman Larsen, Sister.

Honors

The name Harry T Bowman II is located on Panel 57E Line 14 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=94135327



Honoree ID: 3479   Created by: MHOH

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