MAJOR MARION P. (DUTCH) OWENS (Then First Lieutenant), Army Air Forces, United States Army. For extraordinary heroism in action against the enemy, 25 February 1945, while leading his P-38 fighter squadron on an armed reconnaissance mission in the area of Dusseldorf and Cologne, Germany. On this date, Lieutenant Owens observed more than fifty enemy fighter aircraft flying four thousand feet above his squadron. Fully cognizant of the enemyÃs vast numerical superiority and tactical advantage in altitude, he led his squadron in a direct attack on the hostile formation. In the ensuring combat, although he was often surrounded by enemy aircraft, he pressed home eight distinct attacks, destroying three enemy aircraft, probably destroying one, and damaging still another. The outstanding courage and determination to destroy the enemy displayed by Lieutenant Owens on this occasion reflect highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.
Major Owens resided in Georgia. He was inducted into the Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame on April 26, 2003. He was a member of the American Fighter Aces Association and was a founding member of the P-38 Association, which is dedicated to preserving the history of the “Wonderful Lady of the Skies”.