Rufus Wallace Owens

The Navy Cross is awarded to Chief Boatswain’s Mate Rufus Wallace Owens, U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty on the occasion of the torpedoing of and explosion on the U.S.S. Cassin on October 15, 1917. Chief Boatswain’s Mate Owens, with other members of the crew, was untiring in his work of shoring up bulkheads, restaying masts, and improvising means of towing. He set an example to the younger and less experienced members of the crew.