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Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:
Ms. Lisa A. Hypnar

Upon graduation from high school in 1942 Regis "Red" Bowers volunteered for the Navy Air Cadet Program. He received his wings after intense training and was assigned to a squadron heading for an aircraft carrier in the Pacific. During his nine months aboard the carrier, "Red" endured a near fatal crash into the Pacific Ocean. On a day when the waves were nearly 20 feet, Bowers plane was in engine failure and losing altitude quickly. He held the plane off until he lost flying speed and slammed into the waves. After crashing and regaining consciousness he managed to get out of the cockpit, inflate his life vest, and spread shark repellant. The USS Hudson came to his rescue only to find him surrounded by sharks.

During his war service he flew Hellcats on more than 52 carrier missions and amassed 97 carrier landings.

After the war he was stationed at Grosse Isle, Michigan where he flew Corsairs. On his 80th birthday he returned to the sky flying a Cherokee Warrior with his nephew.