Bower, Frederick, Sr., MGySgt

TO THE BEST OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE, WHAT INFLUENCED HIS/HER DECISION TO JOIN THE MARINE CORPS?
World War II was in progress and like many other Americans, I wanted to do my part. I chose to enlist in the U.S. Marines. I was married (to Jean) with one young daughter, Patty Jean, and the Marine Corps required both members of a marriage to agree with the decision of one of the spouses to enlist. Therefore, I needed my wife's signature. After some discussion, she signed my papers.

TO THE BEST OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE DIRECTION OR PATH HE/SHE TOOK IN HIS/HER MILITARY SERVICE. WHERE DID THEY GO TO BOOT CAMP AND WHAT UNITS, BASES, SHIPS OR SQUADRONS WERE THEY ASSIGNED TO? WHAT WAS HIS/HER REASON FOR LEAVING?
March 1942, I reported to Parris Island for my Boot training. When I graduated boot camp I was sent to Quantico, VA to dig a ditch in conjunction with a radio installation. Then I was sent to Jacksonville, Florida for Ordinance training for 3 or 4 months. After ordinance training, I reported to Yellow Water, FL. for Aerial Gunner School. I don't remember how long I was in training there but I enjoyed the training and learning how to master the machine gun. After aerial gunner training, I was Temporarily assigned to the Navy for 14 weeks, wherein I received Bombardier training aboard a PBY, flying up and down the East coast, from 07:00 to 17:00 daily, looking for Submarines. We alternated our stays between Key West, FL, and Charleston, SC.

Sometime later I was sent to the Pacific where I served as a Bombardier or a Tail Gunner, whichever was required, on a PBJ. My service in the South Pacific was devoted to the Solomon Islands area. After serving in the Solomon Islands I returned to the states, entering at Treasure Island, California. From there, I took a train to Washington, DC. I remember arriving in DC on the day President Roosevelt died. From DC, I returned to Cherry Point, NC where I spent some time in the back seat of a dive-bomber as a gunner. I transferred into the Marine Corps reserves in 1945 and went home for two years. We had a couple more children, Ricky Jr, and Johnny.

In 1947, I was called back to active duty. It was either come back as a MSgt now or wait till I'm drafted and come back a Pvt, said the recruiting LT. I sure didn't let the door hit me on the way back in. From 1947 to 1952, I was with the F-7F Night Fighters for a while, then received orders for Jacksonville, Florida. For three years I taught Ordinance at the Jacksonville NAS. I received orders to Japan. In Japan, I was a Master Sgt and served as a Wing Ordinance Chief. I was responsible for such things as ordering ordinance, scheduling cold weather training, etc. While in Japan, I was sent to Iwakuni and put in charge of an MP Company for 18 months. After Iwakuni, I returned state-side to the Quantico, VA airfield where I was in charge of ordinance for 7 years. Then back to Cherry Point in charge of the bomb dump.

IF HE/SHE PARTICIPATED IN ANY MILITARY OPERATIONS, INCLUDING COMBAT, HUMANITARIAN AND PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS, TO THE BEST OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE, PLEASE DESCRIBE THOSE YOU FEEL WERE THE MOST SIGNIFICANT TO HIM/HER AND, IF LIFE-CHANGING, IN WHAT WAY.
I was sent to Cherry Point, NC in March 1943, for aerial training in the F4D. Later I was assigned to the Marine Bombing Squadron VMB-413, which had been activated on March 1, 1943, and I was assigned to the squadron as a Bombardier and Tail Gunner. In December 1943, our squadron moved to California and awaited orders for deployment. On January 3, 1944, we departed from NAS North Island. We arrived at Espirito Santo on January 27, 1944, and stayed there till March 7, 1944, when we were sent to Stirling Island. While we were on Stirling Island we flew a few nighttime "heckling" missions against the Japanese garrisons on Kahili, Bougainville, Rabaul and Kavieng Islands. These Islands were part of the Papua New Guinea region. Also known as the North Solomon Islands.

VMB 413 continued the bombing until July 1944, when we moved back to Espirito Santo. During that time the squadron lost five aircraft along with 32 crewmen. During July 1944, we began operating from Munda from where we began to raid both Kahili and Choiseul on a regular basis until October 18, 1944, when we were removed to Emirau. From here the squadron ran missions against Japanese forces in New Ireland and New Britain until the surrender of Japan in August 1945.

OF ALL THEIR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, ARE YOU AWARE OF ANY HE/SHE HAD FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH WAS THEIR LEAST FAVORITE?
I would have to say that the duty assignments where they were shooting at me were not my most favorite. Coming home was the best part of that assignment.

FROM THEIR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY PERSONAL MEMORIES, YOU MAY BE AWARE OF, WHICH IMPACTED HIM/HER THE MOST.
After 67 years, I may not be able to recollect all outstanding memories this question may elicit. But I do recall one event that caused me some concern. On one of my training flights, with the Navy, flying along the East Coast, it was noticed that something was making holes in the PBY's bomb bay doors. After 67 years, I may not be able to recollect all outstanding memories this question may elicit. But I do recall one event that caused me some concern. On one of my training flights, with the Navy, flying along the East Coast, it was noticed that something was making holes in the PBY's bomb bay doors.

A makeshift special mount was made over the bomb bay doors for me to perch on and observe the dropping of our sandbag bombs in order to see what was damaging the doors. It was a precarious observation position to be in while the doors were open. But it didn't take long to discover the culprit. The bungee cords securing our sand bag bombs were slapping the doors upon release with quite a force and accompanying noise. It was the unsettling possibilities that surrounded the situation at the time that I remember most.

OF ALL THE MEDALS, AWARDS, FORMAL PRESENTATIONS AND QUALIFICATION BADGES HE/SHE RECEIVED, WHICH WERE THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO HIM/HER AND WHY?
My eight consecutive awards for good conduct are the most meaningful awards I received while serving in the Marine Corps. The U.S. Marines' Good Conduct Medal is awarded to any enlisted member of the Marine Corps completing three consecutive years of "honorable and faithful service". Such service implies that a standard enlistment was completed without any non-judicial punishments, disciplinary infractions, or court martial offenses. If a service member commits an offense, the three-year mark "resets" and a service member must perform an additional three years of discipline-free service before the Marine Corps Good Conduct may be authorized.

The ribbon itself or medal represents the initial award. each subsequent award up to 4 is represented by a bronze star device. On the 6th award, the silver star device takes the place of 5 bronze star devices. So yes, my Good Conduct Ribbon/Medal with a Silver Star Service and two Bronze Star Devices are the most meaningful to me. Why? It's the Marine Corps' way of acknowledging Honorable and Faithful service to the Marines and to my country. It makes me kinda proud to have served for so many years as a United States Marine! ^[1]

IF KNOWN, PLEASE LIST ANY INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM HIS/HER TIME IN THE MILITARY WHO STOOD OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON THEM AND WHY?
From my service years, I don't remember anyone having a major impact on me. I had good buddies and good officers throughout my career. My best friend, who I met while instructing at Jacksonville NAS, was Jack Harmon. While I taught Ordinance, Jack taught Electronics. He was an excellent instructor Jack was an Aircraft Mechanic at some point during his tour with the Marines. I remember some of the good times we had. We pulled a lot of liberty together and kept each other out of trouble.

Jack was also an Aerial Gunner in the South Pacific in a torpedo squadron. He was a Rear Gunner in the Grumman TBF Avenger, a Torpedo Bomber. This was the same type aircraft that President George H.W. Bush flew in 1944. Paul Newman was a Rear Gunner in one too. Jack retired a MGySgt. He died recently died of cancer from asbestos. He was a good friend.

ARE YOU AWARE OF ANY PARTICULAR INCIDENT FROM HIS/HER SERVICE, WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FUNNY AT THE TIME, BUT STILL MADE THEM LAUGH LATER ON?
This may not sound very funny to you but I found it to be rather amusing at the time. In July 1944, VMB 413 would begin operating out of Munda. But, the Japanese occupied the island and there was no airstrip for our bombers to land on. Intelligence had it that the Japanese were in the process of building an airstrip.

So, we stood down for 20 days to allow the Japanese to complete our airstrip. At the end of the 20 days, our Marine Grunts landed and took the island. We began landing on our newly completed unused airstrip. Isn't that amusing?

IF HE/SHE SURVIVED MILITARY SERVICE, WHAT PROFESSION(S) DID HE/SHE FOLLOW AFTER DISCHARGE?
After retiring from the Marine Corps, I went to work with General Electric (GE). I worked at GE for 11 years or so in their military weapons area. GE has had a long time relationship with our military, designing and improving various weapons systems. I gained an interest in machine guns early in my career with the Marines. But Gatling guns simply fascinated me.

It gave me great satisfaction when I was assigned to work on their Mini Gatling guns. I had the opportunity to work on all GE miniguns, wing mounted, tripod mounted, and ground mounted; For fixed winged, helicopters and infantry use mini guns. So that's what I did at GE for 11 years. The Photo for this segment of My Reflections is one of General Electric's mini guns. The XM214 Mini Gun. It fires a 223 NATO round at the rate of 1,000 -10,000 rpm.

IF KNOWN, WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS WAS HE OR SHE A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? ARE YOU AWARE OF ANY SPECIFIC BENEFITS THEY DERIVED FROM THEIR MEMBERSHIPS?
Every year the Marine Bomber Squadron VMB-314 meets for a reunion. It's become an association of long-lived Marines. We started with over 500 and 8 or 9 of us continue to meet. My son Ricky is in the process of organizing this year's reunion. Ricky retired from the Air Force, a LtCol. The benefits I receive from my association with the VMB-314 are simple but priceless. The reunions reinforce the brotherhood of a group of Marines who came together from various backgrounds, trained to become part of the world's most formidable fighting force from the air, then win a War together.

IF HE/SHE SURVIVED MILITARY SERVICE, IN WHAT WAYS DO YOU BELIEVE HIS/HER SERVING IN THE MILITARY INFLUENCED THE WAY THEY APPROACHED THEIR PERSONAL LIFE, FAMILY LIFE AND CAREER?
During my career in the Marine Corps, I learned many things that would influence the way I approach my life and my career. I learned the Marine Corps way of discipline in boot camp and leadership skills were picked up on the way by formal and informal training. I learned how to master the machine gun, especially the 30 and 50 cal and the 20 MM guns and acquired an abundance of practical application with them. I also learned how to effectively teach what I know using Techniques of Military Instruction. Upon retirement, these skills enabled me to be hired by General Electric in the mini gun area and apply the skills and experience I had acquired over the years in the Marine Corps.

IF THEY WERE HERE TODAY, WHAT ADVICE DO YOU THINK HE OR SHE WOULD GIVE TO THOSE WHO FOLLOWED IN THEIR FOOTSTEPS AND RECENTLY ENTERED MILITARY SERVICE?
Be a Marine! (Just a reminder). The checks and benefits are good. Just remember your training and get all you can. Then, use it! It'll pay off in the long run.

HOW EFFECTIVE HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM BEEN IN HELPING YOU RECORD YOUR REMEMBERED PERSONS MILITARY SERVICE? DO YOU HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS OR SUGGESTIONS YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE?

TWS and the US MARINES

Marines.TWS provided a venue and format for the reflections of my Marine Corps career. It's good to know that my inquiring family members and Marine brothers (old & new) will be able to know how I served.

DS 7/10/17