David B. Owen

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry) David B. Owen (ASN: 0-1306946), United States Army, for gallantry in action on 30 January 1945, near *****, Belgium. First Lieutenant Owen, Platoon Leader, Company F, 2d Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, showed unusual courage and aggressiveness when his Platoon was held up by machine gun fire from the front. Lieutenant Owen seized a BAR and crawled to within 20 yards of the enemy position. Standing upright, he exchanged bursts with the enemy weapon until it was silenced. His heroism and gallantry in voluntarily exposing himself to remove this source of resistance enabled his platoon to successfully complete the attack. His action inspired his men and reflects great credit upon himself and the Airborne Forces of the United States Army.