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name
OWENS, Robert E - Date of
birth
25 November 1925 -
Age
19 - Place of
birth
Ohio -
Hometown
Adams County, Ohio
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
35071373 -
Rank
Private First Class -
Function
unknown -
Unit
K Company,
3rd Battalion,
222nd Infantry Regiment,
42nd Infantry Division
-
Awards
Silver Star,
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
18 April 1945 - Place of
death
Fürth, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Lorraine
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| E | 12 | 11 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Harlan R. Owens (father)
Elizabeth R. (Smith) Owens (mother)
Richard L. Owens (brother)
More information
Pfc Robert E. Owens worked on a farm before he enlisted at Fort Thomas Newport, Kentucky on 7 March 1944.He was awarded the Silver Star Medal for his action on on 25 January 1945, near Neubourg, France. Pvt Owens was serving as a member of a combat patrol on 25 January 1945 near Neubourg, when he was fired upon by enemy machine gun less than ten yards away, part of the burst passing through his clothing. Instantly bringing up his rifle, he killed the gunner and two other members of the machine gun squad, silencing the gun. After emptying his rifle at the other enemy troops in the vicinity, Pvt Owens dropped to his knees, reloaded and continued to fire until all of the enemy were killed, wounded, or captured. As a result of the quick thinking, outstanding skill, and extraordinary coolness under fire exhibited by Pvt Owens, an enemy machine gun was put out of action, three Germans killed, one was wounded, and nine were captured.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov – WWII Enlistment Record, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record, www.findagrave.com
Photo source: www.findagrave.com – Steven Owens