This profile of Commander and Mrs. Joseph F. Sowar has been prepared as a tribute to their outstanding contributions to United States Naval Aviation and General Aviation during a period from his entry into Navy flight training in June 1942, their marriage in 1946, through his retirement from the Federal Aviation Agency in 1983. His exploits as a Naval Aviator, accomplishments as a leader and success as an administrator are a matter of record. Their joint impact on the lives of those who were privileged to serve with them is a matter of individual remembrance of strong character, sincere regard for the well being of shipmates, camaraderie and lessons learned by their example.

Commander Sowar (1920 - 2000) is remembered particularly by his family and the U. S. Navy and U. S. Marine Corp officers who served under his command in Training Squadron Six during the period 1962 to 1963.

Mrs. Sowar (Bonnie) is recognized as a true and loving partner, mother, teacher, friend, confidant and yardstick by which all Navy wives can be measured. All are proud to sponsor them as Honorees on the National Aviation and Space Exploration Wall of Honor. The following is a chronology of his, and their service:

1942 - Naval Aviation flight training.

1945 - Night Fighter Squadron 43

1945 - Night Air Group 53, Fighter Squadron VF(N)-53, USS Saratoga CV3

1945 - Night Air Group 90, Fighter Squadron VF(N)-90, USS Enterprise CV6

1945 - Fighter Squadron 10, USS Intrepid CV11

1945 - Night Attack and Combat Training Unit, Quonset Point, Rhode Island

1946 - Ohio State University

1947 U. S. Naval Air Technical Training Center, Olathe, Kansas

1947 - GCA Unit 21, U. S. Naval Air Station, Squantum, Massachusetts

1949 - Air Transport Squadron Six, Frankfurt, Germany

1949 - GCA Unit 22, Barbers Point, Hawaii

1951 - Naval Air Basic Training Unit 3, BTU-3, Saufley Field, Pensacola, Florida

1953 - U. S. Naval Post Graduate School, Line School, Monterey, California

1954 - Air Group Eight, USS Intrepid CVA11Norfolk, Virginia

1956 - Airborne Early Warning Squadron Two (VW-2), Patuxent River, Maryland

1958 - Naval CIC School, Glynco Naval Air Station, Brunswick, Georgia

1960 - Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island

1961 - CIC Officer, COMCARDIV Six, USS Saratoga CV60

1962 - Commanding Officer, Training Squadron Six, NAAS, Whiting Field, Milton, Florida

1963 - Federal Aviation Agency (FAA), Washington, DC.

During his varied tours of duty with the U. S. Navy, Commander Sowar was awarded the Air Medal, Gold Star in lieu of second award for combat missions flown during World War II in the Pacific theater of operations; the Navy Unit Commendation, and Medal for Humane Action for missions flown during the Berlin Airlift operations, among others. He was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for his work in aviation weather related programs and Air Traffic Control procedures. He died 22 January 2000 and is buried in Arlington Cemetery.