HOST GFS Heather

WAR VET DATA SUBMITTED BY: HOST GFS Heather NAME: Howard Edward BOWERS BRANCH OF SERVICE: U.S. Army FINAL RATE OR RANK: Staff Sargent DATE OF SERVICE ( IF KNOWN): 25 Feb. 1943 enlisted in Portland, Multnomah Co., OR Discharged- Fort Lewis,  WA on 26 Dec. 1945 PLACE SERVED: Fought in battles at New Guinea, Southern Philippines and Luzon. MEDALS EARNED: Philippine Liberation Medal with two Bronze service Stars, Asiatic Pacific Service Medal, Distinguished Unit Badge Go 68 HQ WD 45, American Theatre Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal and a Bronze Arrowhead Victory Medal. OUTSTANDING COMMENDATIONS:   ANY UNUSUAL EVENTS:   ANY OTHER INFORMATION: Military Records- 25 Feb 1943 Portland, Multnomah CO, OR. He was a Fire Control Instrument Operator 645, Parachutists Badge. Served in WWII and fought in battles at New Guinea, Southern Philippines and Luzon.   Discharge Papers- Army of the United States Honorable Discharge. This is to certify that Howard E. Bowers 39-327-103 Staff Sargent 675th PG FA BN 11th  AB Division, Army of the United States. Is hereby Honarably Discharged from  the military service of the United States of America. Thiss certificate is awarded as a testimonial of Honest and Faithful Service to this country. Seoeration Center- Given at Fort Lewis,  Washington. Certificate is in possesion of Heather W. Bowers. Date- 26 December 1945 Signed-  Harry D. Taylor Lieutenant Colonel Cavalry Certificate from Pres. John F. Kennedy- The United States of America honors the memory of HOWARD E. BOWERS. This certificate is awarded by a grateful nation in recognition to the service of our country in the Armed Forces of the United States. President of the United States The above certificate was sent to  all three of Howards children, Irene Ann, Joseph Charles and Heather Winifred Bowers,  on Nov. 20th 1963 7 pm.  Thursday Nov 21, 1963 Pres. Kennedy went to speak in Texas, on Friday Nov 22, 1963 Pres. Kennedy was shot at 12:35 pm and he died at 1:00 pm. The following letter was also sent: Veterans Administration, office of the Administrator of Veterans Affair. To the next of Kin of Honorably Deceased Veterans: President Kennedy holds in such  high esteem those who have served our country in the Armed Forces of the United States that he has inaugurated his Presidential Memorial Certificate program.   Under his program a Certificate bearing his signature is furnished to the next  of kin. We in the Veterans Administration help in the President's program by identifying next of kin eligible to receive the Certificate. If you have not  received a Certificate and would like one (illustrated below), you should  complete the enclosed card and mail it to the President. J. S. Gleason, Jr. Administrator of Veterans Affairs RELATIONSHIP TO SENDER: My Father- He married my Mother after the War, but they wrote each other every  day he was gone. My father died 13 May 1959, I was born Dec. 10, 1959, so I never met him.  Each  of us kids received a Pension until we turned 18 or after we finished College.   Names who received the Pension are: Irene Ann Bowers Joseph Charles Bowers Heather Winifred Bowers   THOSE WHOM SUPPORTED AT HOME   NAME:   POSITION:   WHERE:   WHEN:   AWARD, CERTIFICATES:   UNUSUAL EVENTS:   RELATIONSHIP TO SENDER: