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HVHS Class of 1966
James David Bowers
Date of Birth 14 July 1948
Date of Casualty 24 May 1968
Upon arriving in Vietnam 22 August 1967, James was assigned to Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division. James was killed during combat in an engagement with enemy forces on a ridge above QL-9,5 kilometers Southeast of Khe Sanh. James was single. He had been in Vietnam 9 months and 2 days.
Survived by his parents and a sister; Betty
Rank: Corporal
Date of birth:
14 July 1948Date of death: 24 May 1968
County: Washington
Hometown: Johnson City
Service Branch: Marine Corps
Division/Assignment: 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division
Conflict: Vietnam
Awards: Purple Heart
Burial/Memorial Location: Happy Valley Memorial Park, Elizabethton, Carter County, TN
Location In Memorial: Pillar XXIV, Middle Panel
*All information for this individual was gathered from the East Tn Veterans Memorial webpage, honorstates.com, abmc.gov, find a grave webpage, Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund webpage and family contributions.
James David Bowers' burial plot is located in the Southview section 42-A Space 4
North 36 degrees 19.732' West 082 degrees 16.228'
Painting of James David Bowers by unknown artist.
My brother James David Bowers (always called David) was a Corporal in the Marines during Vietnam he was a machine gunner he was killed while in Vietnam (age 19). Both of us were raised by our grandparents Arnold and Hattie Bowers. Our mother was killed when a train hit the car we were in when I was 4 and David was 3 after that our dad left us with his parents and he moved first to Michigan then to Ohio to work. He moved back when wee wee in High school. David was one of the sweetest, kindest people I have ever known. He had a really dry sense of humor. He was always pulling jokes on me. Once when my boyfriend came to pick me up he and jimmy Bill Greenlee filled his car with leaves from the front yard. LOL. --Betty Bowers Risk
Father of James David Bowers
Story from Betty Bowers Risk
Mother of James David Bowers
Tennessee Certificate of Death #51-29384
She lived at RT 5, Johnson City, TN
She was a Housewife
She died as a result of a railroad accident
She was married at the time of death
Father: Zeke Barnett
Mother: Nancy Honeycutt
Information for death certificate given by her husband, David Bowers
She is buried at Happy Valley Cemetery, Elizabethton, Carter County, TN
She died at age 38 years
Pictures of David Bowers' grandparents curtesy of Betty Bowers Risk
Grandparents of James David Bowers
Shared Memories
David and I were in Mrs Patton's third grade class at Happy Valley Elementary School.
Playing one day I somehow stuck a pencil in David mouth. It left a dark spot between his front teeth. I always felt bad about that. David was a kind, soft spoken, unassuming young man. To me he was the last person that should have been sent into combat, he would never want to harm anyone. I have thought of him often through the years and the tragedy that still haunts our nation. RIP good friend.
-George Ellis
David was more of a man than most of the boys we went to school with. He was always kind to me and a true friend. I was so proud of him when he joined the Marines. May he rest in peace in the arms of Jesus forever. He gave his all for his country and what have we given for him. May he always be remembered as a TRUE American who served his Country with Honor and Pride.
-Tom Townsend
David had such a kind, sweet personality. He was quiet but funny, he had a dry sense of humor. He and I loved playing Monopoly as kids, we loved riding our bicycles, playing in our grandparents fields and just having fun. He always had some medical problem or another as a child, breaking out in sores because of allergies to plants, eye surgery when he was about 8 or 9, appendicitis, always something but he was always happy. We lost our mom when 4 and 3 in a car vs train accident, Grandaddy and Memaw Bowers raised us after our father left us with them. It was like he never had a chance at life. I love him so much. I hope to see him again one day.
-Betty Bowers Risk
You were always kind and I never wittinessed you doing or saying anything cruel to anyone when we were in high school. I remember you and I skipping church services and hanging out in the new church building that was under construction. Sadly I remember the last time I spoke with you, there in the hallway outside the school gymnasium. You looked so sharp in your dress blue uniform, and you were so proud. Thank you for the memories and most of all for your sacrifice. RIP my friend. I look forward to our future reunion.
-James Hughes
To the best brother anyone could ever have.
On this day especially you are remembered by me
and many other days in each year that passes. You
are in my heart. On the day you were killed Memaw
awoke out of a sound sleep
with you calling to her. I think of this often and
can only imagine the loneliness and terror and it breaks
my heart.
I love you
-Betty
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