Foil: 9 Panel: 1 Column: 2 Line: 18

Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:
CDR. Stephen G. Bowen

John B. Bowen was born 4 July 1928. As a child he moved from Pennsylvania to Massachusetts and grew up near the Squantum Naval Air Station in Quincy. His fascination with aircraft led to the construction of numerous aircraft models and innumerable hours watching operations at the nearby air station.

In order to fulfill his service requirement he entered the U.S. Navy Blimp Corps for several years. He passed his personal fascination with aviation on to his children. The opportunity to become a pilot eluded him as he and his wife Pat raised 6 children and ensured that each had greater educational opportunities than they had had. All of his children completed college. One of his sons has gone on to earn a pilot's license and another became the first submarine officer selected by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to become an astronaut. Jack Bowen's love of aviation while not leading directly to an aviation career has inspired his own family to reach new heights.