Ralph Edward Bowen

Ralph Edward Bowen COLUMBIA - Ralph Edward Bowen, 95, passed away on November 7, 2016. Born October 22, 1921, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, he was a son of the late Robert Emmett Bowen and Susan Rausch Bowen. He is survived by his son, Randall K. Bowen, daughter-in-law, Meredith Duncan Bowen, granddaughters, Lindsay Duncan Bowen and Alexandra Paige Bowen, both of Fairfax, Virginia; grandson, Randall Evan Bowen and his wife, Natalie Kirchner Bowen, of Harrisonburg, Virginia; son-in-law, James F. Page of Spartanburg, South Carolina, and granddaughter, Ashley Knight Page of Charlotte, North Carolina. Ralph is also survived by his brother, Donald Bowen and his wife, Judy, of Pebble Beach, California, and by his sister-in-law, Marnette Bowen of Charleston, South Carolina. Ralph's beloved wife, Mildred Knight Bowen, and his beloved daughter, Cynthia Bowen Page, predeceased him. Ralph was a distinguished veteran of three wars: World War II, Korea and Vietnam. Ralph was enrolled at the University of Wisconsin when the United States entered World War II. He enlisted as an aviation cadet in the Navy and was commissioned in June 1943 as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps. He completed flight training and was designated a naval aviator on the same day he was commissioned. He immediately joined a Marine F-4U Corsair squadron and fought with distinction for the duration of the war, most notable during the Battle of Okinawa. After World War II ended, Ralph enrolled at Northwestern University, where he met and married Millie. When the Korean War began, the Marine Corps recalled Ralph to active duty. Ralph flew combat missions in the Corsair for the duration of the Korean War. After the Korean War ended, Ralph remained on active duty, piloting aircraft including the AD Skyraider, the F9F Panther, and the A4D Skyhawk. He and Millie lived around the country at various Marine Corps and Naval Air Stations. From 1963-66, Ralph served as military director of the Aviation Officer Candidate School in Pensacola, Florida, during which time the school commissioned approximately 3,000 officers. In 1966, Ralph deployed to Vietnam, flying C-117 Skymaster aircraft out of Da Nang. Ralph returned to the U.S. in 1968 and retired from the Marines in August of that year as a Lieutenant Colonel. For his service during three wars, Ralph was decorated with the Distinguished Flying Cross, a Bronze Star with a Valor "V", four Air Medals, campaign ribbons with seven Battle Stars, and other medals, ribbons and citations. In 1969, Ralph moved the family to Miami Shores, Florida. While in Miami, Ralph served on the Miami Shores City Council. He and Millie built a successful real estate brokerage and served on many civic boards. In 1993, Ralph and Millie moved to Columbia. Ralph and Millie were active members of Northeast Presbyterian Church. A memorial service for Ralph will be held at 3:00 p.m. March 22, 2017, at Truro Anglican Church, 10520 Main Street, Fairfax, Virginia. Ralph will be buried with full military honors at 9:00 a.m. March 23, 2017, in Arlington National Cemetery.