Robert S. Mcgowan

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Robert S. McGowan (0-66360), Lieutenant Colonel (Armor), 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 Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3d Squadron, 4th Cavalry, 25th Infantry Division. Lieutenant Colonel McGowan distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 2 March 1969 while serving as commander of a squadron conducting a reconnaissance-in-force mission in the southern portion of the Bo Loi Woods. When his squadron came under intense enemy assault and one of the troop commanders was wounded, Lieutenant Colonel McGowan directed his pilot to land amid hostile fire. He then organized the unit and, when several of the armored personnel carriers sustained direct hits from rocket grenades, carried a stretcher through the bullet-swept area to aid the wounded. To recover the body of a soldier, he raced through the enemy fusillade, passing within ten meters of an active enemy position. After assisting in the casualty evacuation, he guided several vehicles into strategic fighting positions. Returning to his helicopter, he went aloft to lead the ground assault. At one point, while armed only with a .45 caliber pistol, he charged a bunker and killed the occupant. He continued in his heroic manner until the communists were defeated. Lieutenant Colonel McGowan’s extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
Headquarters, US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 2282 (June 27, 1969)