[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 153 (Wednesday, October 30, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1599]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING MR. WILBURN C. ROWDEN

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BLAINE LUETKEMEYER

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 30, 2013

  Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Wilburn C. 
Rowden for his service to our country in the Army Air Corps during 
World War II. His service commenced on January 7, 1943 at Jefferson 
Barracks, and he went on to become a member of the 392nd Bomb Crew, 
serving as a radio operator on the B-17 Flying Fortress ``Sleepy Time 
Gal''.
   During a mission over Berlin on March 8, 1944, the aircraft Mr. 
Rowden was serving on was damaged by enemy air fire. The crew was 
ordered to bail out, during which Mr. Rowden was wounded by gunfire. 
Following this, Mr. Rowden was taken prisoner by armed German Air Force 
troops. Mr. Rowden was held as a Prisoner of War in a German prison for 
14 months.
   On November 2, 1945, Mr. Rowden was honorably discharged with the 
rank of a Technical Sergeant in San Antonio, TX. Beginning in June 
1947, he worked as a technician for the Missouri National Guard. He 
retired from the Missouri National Guard in April 1983 as Chief Warrant 
Officer, 4th grade, receiving a retirement certificate crediting him 
with 38 years of service to his country.
   The medals, ribbons, and awards Mr. Rowden has received are 
numerous. He was awarded a Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Award, and 
Silver Start Patriotic Service Award--just to name a few. Mr. Rowden 
has been married to Launa for 68 years and they are residents of 
Jefferson City, Missouri.
   Mr. Speaker, I ask you to join me in honoring Wilburn C. Rowden for 
his service to our country. It is an honor to represent him in the 
United States Congress.

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