You are here
Rufus Owens
First Name:
Rufus
Middle Name:
Wallace
Last Name:
Owens
Date of Birth:
3/10/1887
Citizenship:
Additional Information:
Age at Death:
Home Address:
Disability:
Image Source: newsprint
Personal Details
Occupation:
Occupation:
Employer:
Location:
Biographical Notes:
On Oct. 17, 1917 a German torpedo blew the destroyer Cassin in half in the waters off of Ireland. The bow remained afloat, thanks to Owens efforts to shore up bulkheads. The surviving crew members were rescued 14 hours later by a British ship. He first enlisted in 1902 at the age of 15, though he later told his son that he had lied about his age- he was 13. He requested to return to active duty when World War Ii broke out and served from 1941-45.Buried at Oaklawn Cemetery.
Family Details:
Spouse:
Children: Calvin Owens Donald Owens Mrs. B. R. Ligon Mrs. D. H. Hardman Mrs. L. A. Boyte Mrs. T. E. Heffner Jr. Mrs. Wilton Grimes Thomas Owens Walter Owens
Dependents:
Parents:
Siblings:
Extended Family:
Military Details
Military Branch:
Navy Enlisted: Before May 1918
Military Rank:
Chief Bosuns Mate
Military Unit:
Mexican War Spanish American War
Military Details:
Awards:
American Campaign Medal: American Defense Service Medal: Navy Cross - for heroism on Oct. 17, 1917 - 11/11/1920: Victory Medals:
Source:
Collier's Veteran Cemetery Index, Charlotte Observer, NC Death Index