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Today in History – June 27, 1963 – USAF MGen Bob Rushworth becomes an astronaut in the X-15

Robert Aitken “Bob” Rushworth (October 9, 1924 – March 18, 1993[1]) was an American United States Air Force major general, World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War pilot, mechanical and aeronautical engineer, test pilot and Astronaut. He was...

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Gower, William R. – KIA

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  • Gower, William R. – KIA

William Ray Gower - KIA

Preferred Name: Billy
Date of Birth: November 19, 1934
Headed West: July 29, 1966
Highest Military Grade Held: 0-3 – Captain
Hometown: Marshfield, MO
Biography
Pilot Information
Album
Biography

“Capt. Billy Ray Gower began his Air Force career as a radar observer before entering flight school. Capt. Gower became a B-47 bomber pilot with the Strategic Air Command, where he remained from 1960 until… he was transferred to Luke AFB near Phoenix, Ariz., for fighter training in the F100.

Gower, a graduate of Marshfield High School, was well known as an athlete, and had tried out with a Cincinnati Reds farm team before joining the Air Force. He is a former Southwest Missouri State College student.”(1)

On July 29, 1966, Capt’ Gower’s F-100 was hit by multiple ground file about 25 miles west of Saigon and he perished. It was his first tour in Vietnam and his third mission.

“At the time of his death Capt. Gower was married with three children: a son, and two daughters.” (1)

William is buried at Marshfield Cemetery, Marshfield, Webster County, MO, and is honored on the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial in Washington DC. Name inscribed at VVM Wall, Panel 09e, Line 87.

(1) The Leader & Press, Springfield, MO, Tuesday, August 2, 1966

Pilot Information

Units Assigned

  • Strategic Air Command (B-47)
  • 615th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 366th Tactical Fighter Wing, 7th Air Force, Phan Rang AB, Vietnam (F-100)

Awards & Decorations

Purple Heart

National Defense Service Medal

Vietnam Campaign Medal

Vietnam Service Medal

Air Force Presidential Unit Citation

Vietnam Gallantry Cross

Air Force Good Conduct Medal

Flight Info

B-47
F-100

Military & Civilian Education

Civilian Education:

  • Marshfield High School
  • Southwest Missouri State College

Album

Gower William1
Album Slideshow
Slideshow
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