PFC JOHN WAYNE ROWDEN
This is an
article about John Rowden which was printed in the Medford Mail Tribune 35
years later |
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Marine
Corps Pvt. John Wayne Rowden was killed in 1968 while providing cover fire
for Marines pinned down in an urban ambush during the battle of Hue City,
South Vietnam. |
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PFC -
E2 - Marine Corps - Regular
Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Wall |
Rowden Funeral Slated Thursday The
body of John Wayne Rowden, 21, has been returned for burial and funeral
services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday in Memory Gardens Funeral
Home. Additional funeral details are to be announced tomorrow. Marine
Pfc. Rowden, who was killed 10 Feb (1968) near Thua Thien, Vietnam, will
be buried in Memory Gardens Memorial Park, where his brother, Marine
Pfc. James Herbert Rowden, 21 killed 5 Mar 1966, is buried. Among
survivors are Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Rowden, parents, Applegate Valley, and
two brothers, Douglas Rowden, 19, who was just granted a one-year
deferment from the draft, and Malcolm Rowden, a fourth grade student.
(Medford Mail Tribune, Medford OR, 27 Feb 1968)
38EAST - 71 - Unit G Co 2nd Bn 5th Mars - Thua Thien S. Vietnam - Hostile, Died; Guns, Small Arms Fire; Ground Casualty |
Parents Ask Deferment of Third Son
After Two Brothers Killed in War Medford (Special) Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Rowden who have lost two sons in Vietnam, Thursday applied for a deferment for their third son, Douglas, 19, Mrs. Rowden told The Oregonian. Douglas Wednesday received notice to report not for induction but for a pre-induction physical examination. All youths in the 19-year age group are automatically classified 1-A and are called for preliminary physical examinations, Helen McDonnell, chief clerk of Selective Service Board number 17 at Medford, explained. If they fail the examination they are automatically classified 4-F or 1-Y. If they pass the physical exam, they may then apply for reclassification for any one of a number of reasons. The Rowdens said Thursday their local board had suggested they write a letter immediately applying for a deferment for Douglas under the hardship provisions of the regulations. "They told me they were pretty sure the board would grant a six-months deferment, as the board has a compassionate policy," Mrs. Rowden said. The six-month deferment can be extended, Selective Service Officials report, "but we would prefer a permanent deferment." Mrs. Rowden said. The Rowdens' oldest son, James, was killed two years ago while fighting as a Marine at the age of 21. The Rowdens were notified Tuesday that their second Marine son, John, 21, had also been killed while fighting on 10 Feb (1968). John had enlisted because he thought his dead brother would have wished it, the parents explained. If Douglas were their only remaining son he would be automatically exempted from military service, but the Rowdens also have a son, Malcolm, 10 years old. "I feel we have donated enough to the Vietnam cause," Rowden said, still shocked by notification of John's death. He said he had written to Oregon's congressional delegation and to Gov. Tom McCall and expected to talk to Sen. Wayne Morse. Douglas, a high school graduate, is working in a sawmill and has never attended college, so is not eligible for a student classification, Mrs. Rowden said. (The Oregonian, Portland OR, Friday 16 Feb 1968) |
PVT JAMES H ROWDEN
Valley Marine Killed in War Marine
Pvt. James H. Rowden, 21, son of Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Rowden, who live
near McKee Bridge, was killed 5 Mar (1966) in action in Viet Nam. His
wife, I. Juanita, and two small children live at the Resmore Mobile
Court and Apartments in Talent. Pft. Rowden was born 26 Jun 1944 in
Medford. He attended Medford High School prior to entering the Marine
Corps in June, 1962. He left for Viet Nam 26 Aug 1965. His children are
James H. Rowden Jr., 3, and Cynthia, who will be 2 next month. His
parents live at Route 2, Box 53B Jacksonville. Other survivors include
three brothers, John Rowden, Douglas Rowden, and Malcolm Rowden, all at
home, and his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. H. O. Youmans, 1446 Thomas
Road. Funeral arrangements will be announced by Conger- Morris Funeral
Directors, Medford. (Medford Mail Tribune, Medford OR, 9 Mar 1966)
05EAST - 27 - Unit M CO 3RD BN 1ST MARS - Quang Ngai S. Vietnam - Hostile, Died; Multiple Fragmentation Wounds Ground Casualty |
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