Robert A. Owens

Robert Allen Owens
Born(1920-09-13)September 13, 1920
Greenville, South Carolina
DiedNovember 1, 1943(1943-11-01) (aged 23)
Cape Torokina, Bougainville
Place of burial
Manila American Cemetery
(initially at the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps Cemetery Bougainville)
AllegianceUnited States of America
Service / branch United States Marine Corps
Years of service1942–1943
Rank Sergeant
UnitCompany A, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines, 3rd Marine Division
Battles / warsWorld War II
AwardsMedal of Honor
Navy Cross
Purple Heart

Sergeant Robert Allen Owens (September 13, 1920 – November 1, 1943) was a United States Marine who was killed in action in the Pacific campaign of World War II. He was posthumously awarded his nation's highest military award — the Medal of Honor — for his heroic actions on his first day in combat at Bougainville. The commanding general of the 3rd Marine Division described Owens' heroism — "Among many brave acts on the beachhead of Bougainville, no other single act saved the lives of more of his comrades or served to contribute so much to the success of the landings."[1]

  1. ^ United States Marine Corps biography.