Robert G. Owens Jr.

OWENS ROBERT G. OWENS, JR. (Age 90) Major General, USMC A decorated Marine Corps aviator, died October 31, 2007 at his Boulder home in Fraser Meadows Retirement Community, where he had lived with his wife since 2003. Born February 13, 1917, in Greenville, SC, he earned a B.A. degree from Furman University in 1938. Following graduation, he enlisted in the Marine Corps and began a distinguished 33-year military career, receiving several medals and decorations, including the Navy Cross. Upon graduation from flight training in Pensacola, FL, he was commissioned a Marine second lieutenant in 1940. Before reporting to Hawaii for duty, he proposed to his hometown sweetheart, Marjorie Frances (Fran) Hart. She joined Owens in Hawaii for their wedding on October 30, 1941. Thirty-nine days later, Pearl Harbor was attacked. They survived the war and enjoyed 66 years of marriage, joined by two sons: Robert III, and Stanley. After Pearl Harbor, Owens led aerial combat in the Solomon Islands, New Georgia, and Bismarck Archipelago areas, earning the Navy Cross, the Distinguished Flying Cross with four Gold Stars, and the Air Medal with two Silver Stars. In January 1944, he earned the Purple Heart for wounds received in action over Rabaul in the South Pacific. Although injured, he successfully landed his crippled plane in the ocean where a rescue plane picked him up. He was designated a Marine Corps ace after shooting down seven enemy planes during World War II. When asked about his life-threatening missions, Owens was known to give a philosophical reply in his southern drawl, “When you‘re the leader, you have to be brave. The choice isn‘t up to you.” Following WWII, he served in various capacities and locations including a number of educational assignments. These included the Air War College at Maxwell Air Force Base, AL, helicopter flight training in Tustin, CA, and the National War College in Washington, DC. Colonel Owens received his Master‘s degree in International Relations from George Washington University in 1964. In August of that year, he was assigned to the Joint Staff of the Joint Chiefs of Staff where he was awarded the first of his five Legions of Merit. Subsequently, Brigadier General Owens was ordered to the Republic of Vietnam, where he served as the Chief of Staff, III Marine Amphibious Force. Upon return to the United States, he again served at Headquarters Marine Corps as Assistant Chief of Staff and was promoted to major general, September 1, 1968. In 1969, he was an honorary pallbearer at President Dwight D. Eisenhower‘s funeral. General Owens‘ last two Marine Corps postings were as commanding officer of the Third Marine Air Wing in El Toro, CA and as commanding officer of the First Marine Air Wing in Japan. Upon retirement from the military August 1, 1972, Owens and his wife settled in Newport Beach, CA, where he pursued a career in real estate. He enjoyed playing golf and raising orchids. Quite the horticulturist, he built two greenhouses and outfitted them with automatic sprinklers and temperature control systems. A well respected neighbor and citizen; he was president of the Rotary Club of Newport Beach. However, of the numerous military and civilian honors earned by Owens, the position most respected by his family was that of husband and father. His oldest son Bob remembered his father fondly, “some people think it‘s hard to spend your youth constantly moving around and making new friends, but our family was always extremely close because of it.” Owens‘s grandchildren admired his strength and gentleness and enjoyed listening to the General recall heroic battles and fond memories of the family. Owens is survived by his devoted wife and sons: Robert G. Owens III (Cindy) of Boulder, CO; Stanly H. Owens (Carol) of Plymouth, MI, six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. General Owens‘ will be buried on Friday, January 18, 2008 at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, 875 N. Randolph Street, Suite 225, Arlington, VA 22203-1977 http://www.nmcrs.org/.General Owens‘ will be buried on Friday, January 18, 2008 at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, 875 N. Randolph Street, Suite 225, Arlington, VA 22203-1977 http://www.nmcrs.org/.