Howard Bowers

Howard Bowers Howard Bowers was born on August 13, 1919 in Neward, New Jersey. Howard died on July 28, 2004 at his home in Camp Springs, Maryland of cancer.Howard is preceded in death by his son David Bowers, Mother Edith(Williams) Bowers; father Edward Bowers, and his 3 brothers, Edward Joseph Bowers, Kenneth Arthur Bowers, and Donald Charles Bowers.He is survived by his devoted wife Valentine Bowers, stepsons and (wives), Robert JC (Sherie) Robey and Gary L. (Diane) Robey. Grandchildren; Robert C. (Kim) Robey; Michael (Deneen) Gordon; Robert E. Robey, Jamie Robey, Jessica Robey, Christina Robey, Kimberly Robey, Chris Ressler and one great grandchild. Additionally, Mr. Bowers is survived by two sisters Lorraine Miller and Mildred Chura and many nieces and nephews.Chief Petty Officer, Bowers is a Pearl Harbor Survivor. He was stationed on the USS Tennessee during the Pearl Harbor Attack. In 1957 he transferred to the Naval Fleet Reserve in Washington, DC. He began his service in he US Navy June 3,1938 and retired July 14, 1958. He was stationed on board the USS Tennessee when she was attacked. Prior to the invasion, Mr. Bowers and another sailor, Donald Efton Koger were taking a break sitting on the Gun Turrets. Her gun turrets could be elevated to 30 degrees, rather than the 15 degrees of earlier battleships, which meant her heavy guns, could reach an additional 10,000 yards. On the morning of December 7, 1941 , the USS Tennessee was moored starborad side to a pair of masonry "Mooring quaya" on Balttleship Row, the name given to a line of deep water berths located along the southeast side of Ford Island. USS West Virginia was berthed alongside to port. Just ahead of the USS Tennessee was the USS Maryland, with USS Oklahoma outboard. USS Arizona moored directly astern of Tennessee, was undergoing a period of upkeep fro the repair ship USS Vestal, berthed beside her. The "three nests" were space about 75 feet apart.At about 0755, Mr. Bowers and his friend saw the Japanese carrier planes begin their attack. It took about five minutes for the antiaircraft guns to be manned and firing. The Tennessee could not move due to the Okalahoma and the West Virginia damage. The Tennessee's stern and port quarter were soon surrounded by heavy dense black smoke.At 0830 The Tennessee received two hits from horizontal bombers.One bomb carried away the after main yard before passing through the catapult on top of gun Turret III, the elevated after turret, breaking up as it partially penetrated the armored turret top. Instead of exploding , the bomb filler ignied and burned, setting as intense fire whick was quickly extinguised through the leadership of Mr. Bowers. The second bomb struck the barrel of the center gun of Turret II, the forward "high" turret, and exploded. The center gun was knocked out of action and bomb fragments sprayed the Tennessee' forward superstructure. The shipboard burning was brought was brought under control by 1030. It was not until December 20, that the USS Tennessee was able to depart from Pearl Harbor ot Puget Sound Navy Yard For repairs. Through out his naval career, CPO Bowers earned many ribbons and awards. some of them are for Korean Service, World War II Service 1941-19445, European -African Campaigns; Middle Eastern Campaigns, China Service, Asian- Pacific Campaign and the Pearl Harbor Campaign.Howard gave dedication, honor to all Americans that served and serve inthe Military, whose lives were lost with valor,as well as those that were injured and survived. He leaves behind a legacy of whick we are all so proud. Mr. Bowers was an active member in the Stallings-Williams American Legion Post 206 Chesapeake Beach, Malryland; The Pearl Harbor Survivors Association- Maryland Chapter#1; and the Fleet Reserve Association, US Navy Branch 24 Annapolis Maryland; and Cheltenham United Methodist Church.In the true American Spirit, Remeber Pearl Harbor and the sacrifices that many made. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Howard Bowers please visit our Sympathy Store.