CAPT Charles S. Bowers III USN

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Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Sponsor

Honored by:
Ms. Sandra Bowers

Captain Bowers spent 30 years as a Navy aviator, and holds designations in thirteen airframes. During his Navy career he specialized in Anti-Submarine warfare compiling a total of 3785 flight hours. Captain Bowers qualified in submarines in addition to becoming a qualified pilot and was awarded numerous commendations including: Air Medal with Bronze Star, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy unit commendations and Battle Es. After leaving active duty as a Navy pilot Captain Bowers continued as an active Reserve pilot until 1994, and ended his Navy career as a war games developer and instructor at the Naval War College and REDCOMONE, Newport, Rhode Island. Captain Bowers left active duty in the Navy in 1984 to pursue his interest in aviation research and development, and retired from the Navy Reserves in 2005.

Captain Bowers was awarded degrees in engineering at Penn State University (1968) and the University of New Mexico (1975), a Master's Degree in Business Management at Troy State University (1980) and completed Pre-Doctoral work toward a Doctorate in International Studies at Clark University. Prior to beginning his Navy career, Captain Bowers began his engineering career in 1968 at Rocketdyne Corporation in California as a Senior Draftsman and worked on the design team for the Apollo Saturn J-2 engine. During his Navy flight career, his engineering and flight experience led him to continue to work for improved flight operations standards.

Captain Bowers post-Navy career has allowed him to become instrumental in the development of new aviation equipment improvements, and engage in primary research and development in ground and space aviation tracking systems. He is responsible for developing a number of programs for the Department of the Air Force including; radar microchip and instrument packages for military aircraft, Joint Stars flight systems, instrument landing radars for both military and commercial aircraft, and satellite tracking devices to aid in the recovery of flight crews downed in hostile territory. His current projects are focused on introducing up-to-date airport command-and-control systems to numerous countries worldwide making it possible for allies throughout the world to safely launch and recover their civilian and military aircraft.