World War II Honoree

David Earl Cowan

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

McCormick, South Carolina

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

Relationship

Friend

INDUCTED AND ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE JANUARY 12, 1943 AT BAMBRIDGE, MARYLAND. EARNED THE RATE OF AVIATION FIRE CONTROLMAN FIRST CLASS. SERVED IN HEDRON FLEET AIR WING 6, CARRIER AIRCRAFT SERVICE UNIT 33 AND COMPOSITE SQUADRON 90. SERVED INITIALLY IN THE AMERICAN THEATER, JANUARY 1943 TO SEPTEMBER 1944. DEPLOYED TO THE PACIFIC THEATER AND SERVED SEPTEMBER 1944 TO MAY 1945 AS AERIAL GUNNER ON EMBARKED AIRCRAFT ABOARD CARRIER USS STEAMER BAY CVE-87. PARTICIPATED IN THE PHILIPPINES, IWO JIMA AND OKINAWA-GUNTO CAMPAIGNS. AT IWO JIMA, WITNESSED FROM THE AIR THE RAISING OF THE AMERICAN FLAG ON MOUNT SURIBACHI. AWARDED THE AIR MEDAL WITH 2 STARS, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 2 STARS, WWII VICTORY MEDAL, PHILIPPINE LIBERATION MEDAL WITH 1 STAR AND WWII HONORABLE DISCHARGE LAPEL PIN. HONORABLY DISCHARGED WITH RATE OF PETTY OFFICER 1ST CLASS MARCH 17, 1946 AT NAVAL PERSONNEL SEPARATION CENTER, SAN PEDRO, CALIFORNIA.