Robert G. Owens Jr.

Robert Gordon Owens Jr. (February 13, 1917 – October 31, 2007) was a highly decorated United States Marine with the rank of Major General. He was a flying ace with seven victories and a recipient of the Navy Cross.

Robert G. Owens Jr. was born on February 13, 1917, in Greenville, South Carolina. He graduated from high school in 1934 and attended Furman University, graduating in 1938. Owens enlisted in the Marine Corps in August 1939. On June 7, 1940, he completed flight training at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant.

Owens was assigned to Marine Scout Bomber Squadron 232 (VMSB-232) at Marine Corps Air Station Ewa on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. He was there when the attack on Pearl Harbor occurred on December 7, 1941. Owens was soon promoted to First Lieutenant in March 1942, followed shortly after with a promotion to Captain in May.

Owens was later assigned to Marine Fighter Squadron 215 (VMF-215), eventually becoming the commanding officer of the squadron. He was promoted to Major in May 1943 and took part in aerial combat over the Solomon Islands and Bismarck Archipelago. From January 5 to February 15, 1944, Major Owens shot down seven Japanese aircraft over this area, and probably destroyed five additional planes. He was awarded the Navy Cross for his actions. He was also wounded during this period, but still managed to make an emergency water landing and was subsequently rescued. He was also awarded five Distinguished Flying Crosses during the war.

In the years after World War II, Owens was assigned to numerous units and earned numerous promotions. In June 1953, he graduated from the Air War College at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. In May 1955, he completed helicopter training and was assigned to the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing in Japan. In 1964, he graduated from the National War College in Washington, D.C. and also earned a master's degree in international relations from George Washington University. On July 1, 1965, he was promoted to Brigadier General.

Owens deployed to Vietnam from December 1966 until December 1967. While there, he served as the assistant commanding general of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, and later as Chief of Staff of the III Marine Amphibious Force. He was awarded a Legion of Merit for his services.

On September 1, 1968, while stationed at Headquarter Marine Corps, he was promoted to Major General. In March 1969, he was an honorary pallbearer at President Dwight D. Eisenhower's funeral. From June 1969 to April 1971, he served as the commanding general of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. Upon completing that assignment, he served as the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing's commanding general from April 1971 until his retirement on April 1, 1972.

Robert G. Owens Jr. died on October 31, 2007, in his home in Boulder, Colorado. He was buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.