William Harrison Bowling
| Era | Vietnam War |
|---|---|
| Branch | U.S. Navy |
| Rank | Commander |
| Wall | G |
| Wall Side | 3 |
| Row | 2 |
| Plaque Number | 6 |
MEDALS-RIBBONS: Combat Action, National Defense Service, China Service, Korean Presidential Unit, United Nations Service
Bill was a 1951 Naval Academy graduate and combat veteran. He served aboard USS Porterfield during the Korean War and as Squadron Commander of VP-22, VP-7 and VP-23.
In 1953, Bill received Naval Aviator designation following flight training at Pensacola and Hutchinson. He then reported to Patrol Squadron VP-22 (Barber’s Point, HI), where he qualified as Patrol Plane Commander and deployed to Alaska and Okinawa flying the P2V NEPTUNE. In 1956, he entered Naval Postgraduate School at Monterey and graduated from MIT in 1959 with an MS in Aeronautical Engineering. Bill then reported to Patrol Squadron VP-7(Brunswick, ME), making deployments to Newfoundland, Puerto Rico and Key West. Duties included PPC, instructor pilot, squadron aircraft repair officer, and safety officer. In 1961, as USN Exchange Officer, Bill served with RCAF Maritime Patrol Squadron 405-MP as operations officer, piloting the ARGUS on ASW and patrol missions out of Greenwood, Nova Scotia.
In 1963, Bill served three years as mathematics instructor at the Naval Academy. In 1966, Bill reported as XO to Patrol SquadronVP-23, (Brunswick, ME); advancing to CO in 1967. Two deployments to Sigonella, Sicily, operating in the Mediterranean, led to Bill’s assignment in 1968 as staff operations officer on the new NATO Staff of Commander Maritime Air Mediterranean, Naples, Italy. In 1971, Bill joined the tactical training staff at Fleet ASW School, San Diego. In 1976, he retired and settled in San Diego, where he had begun his Navy career 30 years and some 6,000 flight hours ago. For the next ten years he was mathematics professor at Mesa College.
Commander Bowling’s honors include the World War II Victory Medal, China Service Medal (Extended), National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, United Nations Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Citation and the Command at Sea Insignia.
Bill was funny, kind, loved sports, the outdoors and helping others. He was always curious and eager to learn. He is missed.
Commander Bowling is survived by his wife of 62 years, Joan; daughters Janet (husband Larry) and Karen; son Blake; granddaughter Elizabeth; and extended family.
At his request, Bill’s ashes were scattered at sea with full military honors. His family has installed a plaque at the Mount Soledad National Veterans Memorial, La Jolla, CA.
Plaque Wall Map
