Corp. James David Bowers

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


*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