Richard Edward Fowler, Jr.

Rear Admiral, U. S. Navy

Navy Cross

Richard Fowler became a World War II Navy ACE, credited with shooting down 6.5 enemy aircraft in aerial combat. He retired as a U.S. Navy Rear Admiral in 1974.

GENERAL ORDERS:
Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 338 (May 1945)
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Richard Edward Fowler, Jr., United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron FIFTEEN (VF-15), attached to the U.S.S. ESSEX (CV-9), in action against enemy Japanese surface forces over the Sibuyan Sea during the Battle for Leyte Gulf in the Philippine Islands on 25 October 1944.
In the face of heavy and accurate anti-aircraft fire, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Fowler participated in a vigorous and determined attack on enemy ships, pressing home his attack to low altitude and making a direct hit on a Japanese battleship, contributing to the sinking of that enemy warship. Undaunted in the face of relentless, devastating anti-aircraft fire, he rendered gallant service during the bitterly fought engagement in which all carriers, a light cruiser and a destroyer of the enemy's task force were sunk and heavy bomb and torpedo damage inflicted on battleships and other important naval units.
By his daring airmanship, exceptional courage and steadfast devotion to duty through a perilous assignment, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Fowler contributed materially to the sinking of this valuable enemy fighting unit and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

GENERAL ORDERS:
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant [then Ensign] Richard Edward Fowler, Jr., United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Pilot in Fighting Squadron FIFTEEN (VF-15), attached to the U.S.S. ESSEX (CV-9), in action against major units of the Japanese Fleet during the First Battle of the Philippine Sea, 19 June 1944.
Pressing home vigorous counterattacks against numerous enemy air groups attacking our Fleet, Lieutenant Fowler shot down four enemy fighters of the total of sixty-seven aircraft destroyed by his squadron and, assisting in damaging many other hostile fighters and dive bombers, contributed materially to the defense of our forces in the area. His airmanship and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.