A Note from The Virtual Wall
On 08 Feb 1968 nineteen men from Alpha Company, 1/6th Infantry, died in heavy fighting near Lo Giang hamlet just south of Danang:
- PFC Amos H. Boutwell, Marianna, FL
- 2LT Joseph B. Bowman, Roanoke, VA (Dist Svc Cross)
- SP4 Alberto Carrasquillo-Denton, Santurce, PR
- PFC Franklin Clovis, Cedartown, GA
- SP4 Ralph A. Dahm, Iron Ridge, WI
- SP4 George R. Denslow, Boonville, NY
- SP4 Brian F. Durr, Whitesboro, NY
- PFC Robert L. Dykes, Tifton, GA
- SSG Ramon H. Gonzalez, Newburgh, NY (Silver Star)
- SP4 Lanny E. Hale, Plano, TX (Bronze Star "V")
- PFC Charles E. Hodge, Chicago, IL
- SP4 John L. Jervis, Pitman, NJ
- SP4 James L. Lopp, Scales Mound, IL (Silver Star)
- SGT David L. McKinney, Richmond, VA
- SP4 James E. Parker, Oak City, NC
- PSGT John R. Poso, San Jose, CA (Silver Star)
- SP4 Michael Pumillo, New York, NY
- SP4 Rodney P. Troyer, Blackwell, OK
- SP4 John A. Wilcox, Moultrie, GA
The Virtual Wall's
Battle of Lo Giang
page gives a description of the action and a full listing of the 54 US Marines, sailors, and soldiers who died at Lo Giang on 08-09 Feb 1968.
Headquarters
United States Army Vietnam
APO San Francisco
17 May 1968
GENERAL ORDERS
NUMBER 2342
AWARD OF THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS
1. TC 320. The following AWARD is announced posthumously.
JOSEPH B. BOWMAN, Second Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army
Company A, 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, 198th Infantry Brigade (Light)
Unit
| Awarded: |
Distinguished Service Cross |
| Date action: |
8 February 1968 |
| Theater: |
Republic of Vietnam |
| Reason: |
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Joseph B. Bowman, Second Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company A, 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry, 198th Infantry Brigade (Light). Second Lieutenant Bowman distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 8 February 1968 as an infantry platoon leader during a combat mission near Da Nang. A Marine platoon had become engaged by enemy forces operating from a nearby village, and Lieutenant Bowman led his troops to reinforce the beleaguered unit. As his element approached the village across a large open rice paddy, a North Vietnamese Army battalion sprang a savage ambush on it from entrenched and concealed positions in a tree line and, at the same time, pounded it with a withering barrage of mortar, rocket and automatic weapons fire from the village. The devastating fusillade wounded Lieutenant Bowman and many of his men. Disregarding his wounds and safety, he fearlessly moved among his troops and directed them to defensive positions behind a paddy dike. He then began to evacuate the casualties, and the insurgents unleashed a series of fanatic human wave assaults on his perimeter. Bullets struck all around him as he moved from position to position and inspired his men to repel the determined attacks. The enemy finally overran his lines despite the heroic defense, and Lieutenant Bowman led his men in fierce hand-to-hand battle that inflicted heavy casualties on the attackers. He was mortally wounded while gallantly leading his troops in close combat against a numerically superior hostile force. Second Lieutenant Bowman's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
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| Authority: |
By direction of the President under the provisions of the Act of Congress, approved 9 July 1918. |
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