Always Remember Those Who Gave All: MC WW2 Gold Stars and MIA Survivors

Raymond Edward Bowkley (1917-1965)

MC Class: ex-1940

Years at MC: 1936-1937 (Freshman)

Hometown: Califron, NJ

Life at MC: Alpha Sigma Literary Society, Track Team

Military Branch: US Air Forces

Military Unit: 544th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 384th Bombardment Group (Heavy)

Rank: 2nd Lieutenant (Bombardier)

Medals Awarded: Prisoner of War Medal

Date Missing: 13 May 1944

Circumstances of "Missing in Action": "While formation was under enemy aircraft attack, pulled out of formation to the left and was seen circling under control, with fires under inboard sections and both wings; five chutes emerged; crashed near Loitz, Germany" (https://384thbombgroup.com/_content/_pages/PersonalWarRecord-R1_0.php?xID7uGt4=408)

Prisoner of War Camp: "Stalag Luft 3 Sagan-Silesia (Moved to Nuremberg-Langwasser) 49-11" (https://384thbombgroup.com/_content/_pages/PersonalWarRecord-R1_0.php?xID7uGt4=408)

Notification of Survival: May 1945

Circumstances of Rescue/Escape: "Second Lieutenant (Air Corps) Raymond E. Bowkley (ASN: 0-684604), United States Army Air Forces, was captured by German forces after his aircraft was shot down on or about May 13, 1944 and was held as a Prisoner of War until his return to U.S. Military Control at the end of hostilities in May 1945" (https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/350945).

Burial/Memorial Information: Lower Valley Union Cemetery, Califon, Hunterdon County, New Jersey (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/114528147/raymond-edward-bowkley)

Additional Information: His full personnel record can be found on the 384th Bombardment Group website.

Additional Images:

1936 Maryville College Track Team