31:
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119:
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speaking to the negative effects that night time raids from
Japanese bombers were having on the ground troops. Based on his earlier travels and observations, Rowell immediately recommended that a night fighter unit be made "available immediately for overseas duty". This message to Marine Headquarters
387:. His air command won the Schiff Trophy in 1926, 1932, and again in 1933. He led the Marine Air Detachment at the International Air Races at Chicago in September, 1933, and in the All-American Air Races at Miami, Florida, in January 1935, achieving commendable performances on both occasions.
438:, England. Upon his return in November 1941, Rowell made a recommendation for the Marine Corps to acquire a medium-sized, long range, high-speed bomber to be used for night harassing missions. This coupled with the work of other Marines grew into the Marine
470:
convinced Rowell that there was no longer a need for
Marines to get carrier qualifications since all of their aircraft were currently based out of land based strips. This lack of foresight led to Marine pilots not being able to fly from
495:
that Marine aviation was not paying attention to its primary purpose of providing close air support and was too concerned with shooting down enemy aircraft. In August 1944, General
Vandegrift flew to Hawaii to meet with
500:
and his staff and came up with the solution that Marine squadrons would be assigned to escort carriers, Marine aviation would take control of aircraft directly supporting ground troops during amphibious operations and
390:
He served as director of Marine Corps
Aviation from May 30, 1935, through March 10, 1939. In this role he was the senior advisor to the commandant on all aviation matters and the Marine Corps' liaison with the Navy's
877:
439:
1070:
1621:
398:
In addition to duty at various posts in the United States and extensive sea duty, Rowell served abroad in the
Philippine Islands, France, Haiti, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.
454:
and its mission was to organize, administrate and distribute personnel and supplies for Marine Air Wings in the
Pacific. On December 27, 1942, Rowell read a dispatch from
1616:
1611:
1646:
422:
and in the skies over Great
Britain that he was able to see the advent of fighters equipped to operate at night. He also traveled and learned all he could about
364:
runs from low altitude made by Rowell and his men marked one of the first coordinated dive-bombing attacks in aviation history. Rowell was awarded the
1596:
1147:
1270:
1606:
302:
1641:
1601:
1554:
980:
920:
365:
206:
1626:
1334:
944:
487:
left much to be desired. The lack of adequate air support was coupled with the feeling amongst other senior Marine aviators such as
372:
for his extraordinary heroism and exceptionally meritorious service in action against hostile
Nicaraguan bandits during this time.
1522:
253:
Ross Rowell was born on
September 22, 1884, in Ruthven, Iowa, attending grade and high school in Ruthven. He was graduated from
442:. Following these tours, Rowell served as commanding general, Marine Aircraft Wings, Pacific (MAWP), from the opening of the
1651:
1636:
1493:
325:
182:
1631:
636:
509:(AirFMFPac). This new role was not welcomed by Rowell and he became so negative that he was quickly replaced by MajGen
480:
229:
146:
1466:
1439:
1417:
1398:
1379:
1360:
1191:
674:
380:
925:
905:
369:
202:
521:
for outstanding service as commanding general, Marine
Aircraft Wings Pacific from August 1942 to September 1944.
177:
1040:
974:
958:
233:
693:
447:
281:
from 1906 until 1909. Rowell was designated a student naval aviator in 1923, taking his fight training at
895:
529:
463:
in Washington would be the catalyst for kicking the development of Marine Night Fighters into high gear.
446:
in August 1942 until Japanese air power was driven from the Bismarck-Solomons in 1944. MAWP was based at
306:
282:
87:
301:
for making the highest bombing score during the gunnery year 1924–25, and in 1926 he was praised by the
1074:
222:
123:
1485:
1016:
953:
525:
1157:
934:
524:
Rowell retired from the Marine Corps after 40 years of service on November 1, 1946. He died at the
160:
1278:
353:
964:
655:
598:
579:
419:
854:
847:
840:
813:
788:
761:
754:
262:
517:, a post he held until his retirement in November 1946. In September 1944, he was awarded the
617:
392:
298:
237:
1560:
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776:
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1586:
492:
443:
340:
where they began training and flying in support of their fellow Marines on the ground. On
767:
728:
8:
455:
423:
277:
He was appointed as a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps in August 1906. He served in
258:
118:
883:
860:
819:
407:
1559:. Washington, D.C.: Historical Branch, United States Marine Corps. 1962. Archived from
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484:
431:
333:
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1413:
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from May 30, 1935, until March 10, 1939, and was one of the three senior officers of
869:
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479:
during amphibious landings. This would return to haunt the Marine Corps during the
356:. Upon getting news of the attack, then Major Rowell, flew a 5 plane detachment of
187:
803:
483:
in which it was generally felt that close air support provided by pilots from the
1152:
915:
828:
518:
472:
435:
210:
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in October 1944 and reassigned as the Chief of the Naval Aviation Mission to
225:
105:
100:
58:
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192:
1199:
737:
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459:
361:
349:
329:
172:
1019:, first Marine Corps aviator and first director of Marine Corps Aviation
1372:
Devilbirds – The Story of United States Marine Aviation in World War II
488:
357:
310:
719:
232:
by the end of his 40 years of service. He served as the Marine Corps'
948:
341:
321:
75:
1271:"American Armed Forces' Service Culture Impact on Close Air Support"
261:. He then worked for two years as topographer and draftsman for the
427:
384:
699:
680:
661:
642:
623:
604:
585:
566:
337:
286:
142:
1549:. ArlingtonCemetery.net. 16 October 2022. An unofficial website.
1547:"Ross E. Rowell, Lieutenant General, United States Marine Corps"
221:(September 22, 1884 – September 6, 1947) was a highly decorated
451:
345:
1529:. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from
415:
411:
317:
257:
and then studied electrical engineering for two years at the
156:
1622:
Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)
30:
514:
406:
Early in World War II, Rowell was sent to London as an Air
278:
1459:
United States Marine Corps Air Stations of World War II
1412:. Nautical and Aviation Publishing Company of America.
998:
1393:. Carrollton, Texas: Squadron/Signal Publications.
316:In early 1927, Rowell as commander of the squadron
1617:Recipients of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal
1477:
1355:. Blue Ridge Summit, Pennsylvania: TAB Books Inc.
1461:. Bowersville, Georgia: Schaertel Publishing Co.
1612:United States Marine Corps World War II generals
1578:
1432:History of Marine Corps Aviation in World War II
1410:U.S. Marine Corps Aviation – 1912 to the Present
1292:
1250:
1304:
1192:"Directors of Marine Corps Aviation, 1919–1962"
1086:
305:for the high state of efficiency prevailing at
1647:American military personnel of the Banana Wars
1316:
1128:
16:United States Marine Corps general (1884–1947)
1353:WW II: Marine Fighting Squadron Nine (VF-9M)
375:On May 30, 1932, Rowell took command of the
1391:Night Wings: USMC Night Fighters, 1942–1953
1238:
1118:
1116:
1103:
1101:
988:Nicaraguan Medal of Distinction w/ Diploma
1226:
29:
1523:"Lieutenant General Ross E. Rowell, USMC"
1434:. Washington, D.C.: Combat Forces Press.
1172:
1113:
1098:
272:
1475:
1597:Burials at Arlington National Cemetery
1579:
1556:Brief History of Marine Corps Aviation
1268:
1262:
1214:
528:on September 6, 1947. He is buried in
297:. General Rowell was commended by the
507:Aircraft, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific
313:, where he then was group commander.
1480:The United States Marines: A History
328:during this time referred to as the
1607:United States Marine Corps generals
1374:. New York: Harper & Brothers.
1184:
1140:
13:
1642:People from Palo Alto County, Iowa
1073:from websites or documents of the
698:
679:
660:
641:
622:
603:
584:
565:
481:Mariana and Palau Islands campaign
360:to help relieve the garrison. The
348:was surrounded by several hundred
14:
1663:
1602:Recipients of the Legion of Merit
1527:Who's Who in Marine Corps History
1484:. Naval Institute Press. p.
381:Marine Corps Air Station Quantico
1627:Air Corps Tactical School alumni
1196:History of Marine Corps Aviation
1156:. August 1, 1927. Archived from
1069: This article incorporates
1064:
1001:
954:Nicaraguan Campaign Medal (1933)
926:Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal
906:Navy Distinguished Service Medal
882:
875:
868:
859:
853:
846:
839:
827:
818:
812:
802:
793:
787:
775:
766:
760:
753:
743:
736:
727:
718:
535:
370:Navy Distinguished Service Medal
336:on February 25 and proceeded to
141:
117:
99:
1328:
1269:Lawing, Rhett B. (2006-12-18).
1198:. AcePilots.com. Archived from
401:
1045:May 30, 1935 – March 10, 1939
975:Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
959:American Defense Service Medal
710:
377:East Coast Expeditionary Force
344:, a 37-man Marine garrison in
332:. They arrived at the port of
303:Commandant of the Marine Corps
248:
1:
1335:Burial Detail: Rowell, Ross E
1275:Air & Space Power Journal
1059:
466:It was during this time that
324:as part of the United States
1652:Military personnel from Iowa
1637:Iowa State University alumni
1456:
1426:
1369:
1310:
1298:
1244:
1232:
1134:
1122:
1107:
1092:
540:Rowell's dates of rank are:
448:Marine Corps Air Station Ewa
243:
7:
1457:Shettle, M. L. Jr. (2001).
1407:
1350:
1322:
1256:
1178:
994:
530:Arlington National Cemetery
526:Naval Hospital in San Diego
307:Naval Air Station San Diego
283:Naval Air Station Pensacola
203:Distinguished Service Medal
88:Arlington National Cemetery
10:
1668:
1632:University of Idaho alumni
1521:
1476:Simmons, Edwin H. (2003).
1370:De Chant, John A. (1947).
1075:United States Marine Corps
985:Nicaraguan Medal of Merit
981:World War II Victory Medal
921:Distinguished Flying Cross
904:
894:
366:Distinguished Flying Cross
223:United States Marine Corps
207:Distinguished Flying Cross
124:United States Marine Corps
1408:Mersky, Peter B. (1983).
1388:
1220:
1047:
1038:
1030:
1025:
987:
984:
979:
977:with three service stars
973:
963:
957:
952:
945:World War I Victory Medal
943:
933:
924:
919:
914:
726:
717:
475:which were providing the
267:Sanke River Valley, Idaho
228:who achieved the rank of
198:
168:
152:
137:
129:
111:
94:
82:
65:
45:
37:
28:
21:
1389:Doll, Thomas E. (2000).
1351:Barrow, Jess C. (1981).
935:Cuban Pacification Medal
440:PBJ night bomber program
161:2nd Marine Aircraft Wing
106:United States of America
965:American Campaign Medal
503:Marine Air Wing Pacific
183:Occupation of Nicaragua
1071:public domain material
703:
684:
665:
646:
627:
608:
589:
570:
263:U.S. Geological Survey
702:
683:
664:
645:
626:
607:
588:
569:
393:Bureau of Aeronautics
354:Augusto César Sandino
299:Secretary of the Navy
273:Early military career
240:during World War II.
238:Marine Corps Aviation
164:Marine Corps Aviation
130:Years of service
1041:Director of Aviation
1017:Alfred A. Cunningham
493:Alexander Vandegrift
491:and then Commandant
444:Guadalcanal Campaign
234:Director of Aviation
1160:on November 2, 2012
896:Naval Aviator Badge
468:Admiral Ernest King
424:RAF Coastal Command
259:University of Idaho
219:Ross Erastus Rowell
23:Ross Erastus Rowell
1202:on 5 February 2007
961:w/ 1 service star
704:
685:
666:
647:
637:Lieutenant colonel
628:
609:
590:
571:
511:Francis P. Mulcahy
485:United States Navy
432:RAF Bomber Command
295:San Antonio, Texas
255:Iowa State College
230:lieutenant general
178:Occupation of Cuba
147:Lieutenant general
78:, California, U.S.
56:September 22, 1884
1495:978-1-55750-868-3
1148:"Marines Rescued"
1057:
1056:
1051:Ralph J. Mitchell
1048:Succeeded by
1026:Military offices
992:
991:
890:
889:
708:
707:
675:Brigadier general
505:would be renamed
477:close air support
216:
215:
69:September 6, 1947
1659:
1572:
1570:
1568:
1563:on June 19, 2000
1550:
1542:
1540:
1538:
1533:on June 15, 2011
1509:
1504:
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1338:
1332:
1326:
1320:
1314:
1308:
1302:
1296:
1290:
1289:
1287:
1286:
1277:. Archived from
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1031:Preceded by
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1009:Biography portal
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543:
542:
418:. It was in the
188:Battle of Ocotal
145:
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72:
55:
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33:
19:
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1545:
1536:
1534:
1512:
1507:Ross E. Rowell.
1500:
1498:
1496:
1469:
1442:
1428:Sherrod, Robert
1420:
1401:
1382:
1363:
1341:
1333:
1329:
1321:
1317:
1313:(1952), p. 327.
1309:
1305:
1301:(1952), p. 325.
1297:
1293:
1284:
1282:
1267:
1263:
1259:(1952), p. 160.
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1133:
1129:
1121:
1114:
1106:
1099:
1095:(2003), p. 114.
1091:
1087:
1065:
1062:
1053:
1044:
1036:
1007:
1002:
1000:
997:
947:w/ West Indies
916:Legion of Merit
865:
864:
858:
851:
844:
824:
823:
817:
799:
798:
792:
772:
771:
765:
758:
713:
595:1914 September
538:
519:Legion of Merit
473:escort carriers
436:Buckinghamshire
404:
275:
251:
246:
211:Legion of Merit
209:
205:
163:
159:
98:
90:
83:Place of burial
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24:
17:
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1380:
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1361:
1347:
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1345:
1340:
1339:
1337:– ANC Explorer
1327:
1325:(1983), p. 98.
1315:
1303:
1291:
1261:
1249:
1247:(2000), p. 90.
1237:
1235:(1947), p. 48.
1225:
1213:
1183:
1181:(1981), p. 67.
1171:
1139:
1137:(1952), p. 25.
1127:
1125:(1952), p. 24.
1112:
1110:(1952), p. 31.
1097:
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672:
671:1939 December
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576:1908 November
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561:2nd lieutenant
558:
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534:
498:Admiral Nimitz
456:Admiral Halsey
403:
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320:, deployed to
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73:(aged 62)
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1468:0-9643388-2-3
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1447:
1443:
1441:0-89201-048-7
1437:
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1429:
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1419:0-933852-39-8
1415:
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1400:0-89747-419-8
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1281:on 2007-11-16
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1034:Roy S. Geiger
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982:
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557:1906 August
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193:World War II
169:Battles/wars
71:(1947-09-06)
1592:1947 deaths
1587:1884 births
711:Decorations
460:Guadalcanal
350:sandinistas
330:Banana Wars
291:Kelly Field
249:Early years
173:Banana Wars
38:Nickname(s)
1581:Categories
1285:2009-03-19
1060:References
652:1935 June
489:Roy Geiger
326:occupation
311:California
95:Allegiance
52:1884-09-22
322:Nicaragua
244:Biography
133:1906–1946
76:San Diego
1567:19 March
1537:19 March
1501:19 March
1430:(1952).
1233:De Chant
1206:19 March
1164:19 March
1081:Specific
995:See also
971:4th Row
941:3rd Row
912:2nd Row
902:1st Row
428:Scotland
385:Virginia
368:and the
153:Commands
112:Service/
1450:1261876
1311:Sherrod
1299:Sherrod
1257:Sherrod
1245:Shettle
1135:Sherrod
1123:Sherrod
1108:Sherrod
1093:Simmons
656:Colonel
599:Captain
408:Attaché
352:led by
338:Managua
334:Corinto
289:and at
287:Florida
226:aviator
41:"Rusty"
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1323:Mersky
1179:Barrow
552:image
452:Hawaii
420:desert
346:Ocotal
199:Awards
122:
114:branch
61:, U.S.
949:clasp
928:w/ 2
618:Major
549:rank
546:date
416:Egypt
412:Cairo
318:VO-1M
157:VO-1M
1569:2009
1539:2009
1503:2009
1490:ISBN
1463:ISBN
1446:OCLC
1436:ISBN
1414:ISBN
1395:ISBN
1376:ISBN
1357:ISBN
1221:Doll
1208:2009
1166:2009
1153:Time
515:Peru
430:and
279:Cuba
138:Rank
66:Died
46:Born
1515:Web
1486:114
458:on
434:in
426:in
379:at
358:DHs
293:in
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50:(
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
