Robert G. Owens Jr.

Robert Gordon Owens Jr. (February 13, 1917 – October 31, 2007) was a highly decorated United States Marine aviator and Major General, who was a flying ace with seven victories during World War II.

He was a recipient of the Navy Cross, the United States' second-highest decoration awarded for valor in combat.

Owens rose to the general's rank and served as Chief of Staff, III Marine Amphibious Force during the Vietnam War.

Robert G. Owens Jr. was born on February 13, 1917, in Greenville, South Carolina as the son of Robert G. Owens, but grew up with his uncle, Fielder Owens and his family.

He graduated from Greenville High School in summer 1934 and enrolled the Furman University also located in Greenville.

While at the University, Owens was a member of Young Democrats and also served as President of Delta Sigma Phi for two years.

He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology in June 1938 and after one year in the family truck company, he enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve as Private First Class in August 1939.

He was stationed with Marine Detachment Naval Air Station Seattle for one month, before he was assigned to the Aviation Cadet Program at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida.

Owens completed flight training and was commissioned as a Reserve second lieutenant in June 1940.

Upon his commissioning, he was ordered to San Diego, California and joined Marine Bomber Squadron 2 under Major Ira L. Kimes.

Owens began flying air patrols along the coast of California in the new Douglas SBD Dauntless dive bomber, before his squadron was transferred to Hawaii in early 1941.

In anticipation of the large expansion Marine Aviation was about to undergo, the squadron was re-designated Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 232 (VMF-232) in July 1941.

Owens was stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Ewa, Oahu and participated in the patrolling of Pearl Harbor during the increasing tensions in the Pacific.

During the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, Owens participated in the defense of the island, during which one member of the squadron was killed and nine of the squadron's aircraft were destroyed.

Two months following the Japanese attack, Owens was promoted to first lieutenant and joined the newly activated Marine Fighting Squadron 215 at Marine Corps Air Station Santa Barbara, California.

He was promoted to Captain in May 1942 and served as Squadron's executive officer during the initial training on Grumman F4F Wildcats.

The squadron was transferred to Hawaii in February 1943 and transitioned to Vought F4U Corsairs, while Owens was promoted to Major in May 1943 and assumed command of the squadron.

He led his unit to Midway Atoll and conducted combat air patrols for allied shipping for two months, before they were transferred to a new base at Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides.

Owens then participated in air strikes against Japanese bases in the northern Solomon Islands, New Georgia, and the Bismarck Archipelago.

His squadron also provided air cover for the landings at Empress Augusta Bay on Bougainville, which began on November 1, 1943.

In January 1944, Owens led his squadron during aerial combat over Rabaul, New Guinea and personally shot down seven Japanese aircraft and probably destroyed five additional planes.

Unfortunately his plane was shot down by Japanese anti-aircraft guns.

Although burned in the face, arm and leg, he succeeded in landing his crippled plane in the water where a rescue PBY Catalina picked him up.

Owens became a flying ace for shooting down seven Japanese aircraft and received the Navy Cross, the United States second-highest decoration awarded for valor in combat.

He also received five awards of Distinguished Flying Cross, eleven Air Medals and Purple Heart for his wounds.

He was subsequently ordered back to the United States for treatment and a new assignment.

Owens then assumed command of newly activated Marine Aircraft Group 46 at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, California and supervised the training of replacement pilots and crew for Marine squadrons operating in combat areas.

He remained in that assignment for the rest of the War.

Following the surrender of Japan in August 1945, Owens joined the staff of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 321 and participated in the occupation of Japan.

The squadron was ordered back to the United States in early 1946 and Owen was transferred to the headquarters, Aircraft, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific under Major general James T. Moore.

While in this capacity, he participated in the Chinese Civil War, where units of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing provided support actions for allied units.

By the end of 1946, Owens returned stateside and was assigned to the Division of Reserve at Headquarters Marine Corps in Washington, D.C. and served under Major general William T. Clement for two years.

He decided to remain in the Marines and was transferred to the active list.

In early 1948, Owens was ordered to the Marine Corps Schools at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia for the Junior Course, which he completed in August that year and was promoted to lieutenant colonel.

Upon the completion of the course, he was ordered to Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina and assumed duty as Division Air Officer, 2nd Marine Division under Major General Franklin A. Hart.

During the Korean War the 2nd Marine Division remained in the States, maintained combat readiness and trained replacement personnel for units deployed in combat areas.

Owens was transferred to the Headquarters, Aircraft, Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic under Major General Louis E. Woods in October 1950 and then assumed command of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 115.

During his tenure, the squadron became the first Marine Corps squadron equipped with Grumman F9F-2 Panther jets.

He was transferred to the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing and assumed duty as the assistant operations officer under the command of MajGen Woods, who dual hatted as Commander, Aircraft, FMF, Atlantic and 2nd MAW;

He completed his service as Commanding general, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing in April 1972.