SGT Owen enlisted in USMC May 31st, 1941 and served four years. SGT Owen was a Riffle Marksman and participated in action against the enemy during the Battle of Tarawa (US code name Operation Galvanic) which was a battle in the Pacific Theater of World War II, largely fought from November 20 to November 23, 1943. It was the first American offensive in the critical central Pacific region It was also the first time in the war that the United States faced serious Japanese opposition to an amphibious Landing.  He was then assigned to fight on the Tinian -Mariana Island.SGT Owen was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation, Good Conduct Medal