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On Friday morning, Disabled American Veterans (DAV) held a small ceremony to recognize Sgt. Hammett Bowen by placing a wreath at his gravesite in Restlawn Cemetery.

Bowen is a Medal of Honor recipient, having earned the award for sacrificing his life to save his brothers in arms by diving on an enemy grenade during the Vietnam War.

Remarks during the short service were provided by Col. Gerry Tertychny, US Army (Ret.), who gave a brief history of the Medal of Honor and Bowen.

“The Medal of Honor is the United States Armed Forces’ highest decoration, and it is awarded to recognize American soldiers, sailors, Marines, airmen, guardians and Coast Guardsmen who distinguish themselves by extraordinary acts of valor,” Tertychny said.

Traditionally awarded by the President of the United States, the award is presented in the name of the United States Congress and sometimes referred to as the Congressional Medal of Honor. It was the only US award for valor until the introduction of the Distinguished Service Cross and the Silver Star in 1918.

As of September 2023, 3536 Medals of Honor were awarded, with over 40 percent of those awarded for actions during the American Civil War.

“In 1863, Congress made the Medal of Honor a permanent declaration by passing legislation permitting the award to such soldiers as have most distinguished themselves or who may hereafter most distinguish themselves in action,” Tertychny said.

“We are fortunate and indeed honored to have in LaGrange, a LaGrange native, buried [here in LaGrange] who is a Medal of Honor recipient,” Tertychny said. 

Staff Sergeant Hammett Lee Bowen, Jr, was born in LaGrange on November 30, 1947. He joined the Army from Jacksonville, Florida and completed basic training at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, before returning to Georgia and going to Fort Benning, Georgia, to attend the non-commissioned officer course, and graduated in 1968.

“By June 27, 1969, Bowen was serving as a staff sergeant in Company C, Second Battalion, 14th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division. On that day, in the Binh Duong Province of South Vietnam, Bowen smothered the blast of an enemy thrown hand grenade with his body, sacrificing himself to protect all of those around him,” Tertychny said.

Bowen’s platoon had been advancing on a reconnaissance mission into enemy-controlled territory when they came under the crossfire of small arms and grenades from an enemy ambush. Bowen returned fire on the enemy and ordered his men to fall back. As the platoon was moving back, an enemy grenade was thrown near Bowen and three of his men. Bowen then shouted a warning to his men and hurled himself on the grenade, absorbing the explosion with his body while saving the lives of his fellow soldiers, Tertychny said.

“Staff Sergeant Bowen’s extraordinary courage and concern for his men at the cost of his life served as an inspiration to his comrades and are in the highest traditions of the military service in the US Army,” Tertychny said.

Because of his service and valor, local vets recognize Bowen annually with a wreath placing ceremony at his final resting place at Restlawn Cemetery on Mooty Bridge Road in LaGrange.

Following the ceremony, volunteers, including Jr. ROTC cadets from Troup High School, placed American flags on the graves of veterans at Restlawn for Memorial Day.