Navy Hospitalman Bowen was serving with the 1st Marine Division. On 21 September 1950, he was shot in the neck by the enemy near Sosa Ria, Korea while tending his wounded comrades.

For his leadership and valor, Hospitalman Bowen was awarded the Navy Cross, the Purple Heart, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.