[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 84 (Wednesday, May 15, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E500]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER LEE R. BOWDEN

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GREGORY F. MURPHY

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 15, 2024

  Mr. MURPHY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an incredible 
warfighter and patriot, Chief Warrant Officer Lee R. Bowden of Camp 
Lejeune, North Carolina, who recently was recognized as the 2023 
Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Technician of the Year. Officer 
Bowden has been a faithful servant to the Marine Corps and this Nation 
for nearly 20 years since enlisting as a recruit in 2004 at the Marine 
Corps Recruit Depot in Parris Island, South Carolina.
  Officer Bowden has had a distinguished military career that is second 
to none. He achieved the distinction of being the honor graduate in 
many of his military education courses, including Maintenance 
Management, EOD Basic School, EOD Supervisor Course, EOD Officer 
Course, and Warrant Officer Basic Course. In 2011, Officer Bowden was 
deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and 
helped protect our warfighters from improvised explosive devices, 
unexploded explosive ordnance, and other war relics. He was also 
deployed to Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base in Romania to provide EOD 
force protection to the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines, and partner nations 
during warfighting exercises.
  After a few deployments, Officer Bowden used his talents and 
expertise to teach young soldiers about the importance of EOD. In June 
2015, Officer Bowden reported to the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat 
Center in 29 Palms, California, and served as the primary instructor 
for the EOD Supervisors Course. He was recognized as the 2016 Air 
Control Training Squadron Basic Instructor of the Year. Officer Bowden, 
in his last deployment in 2021 to Hamid Karzai International Airport in 
Kabul, Afghanistan, helped protect American citizens and innocent 
Afghan civilians from the harmful remnants of war.
  Officer Bowden has received many awards for his excellent service, 
including the Meritorious Service Medal, Master EOD Breast Insignia, 
Combat Action Ribbon, and the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal. 
I have no doubt that his dedication to the EOD field has saved 
countless lives here and around the world. In an increasingly bellicose 
and belligerent world, we desperately need leaders like Officer Bowden, 
who are experts in their fields. I am confident that the next 
generation of EOD technicians and warfighters will be well prepared 
with Officer Bowden at the helm. I am honored to have the opportunity 
to extend this chamber's recognition of this admirable defender of our 
great Nation.

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