Staff Sergeant Josh Bowden was born on 9 August 1985 in Lithia Springs, GA. He graduated from Alexander High School in Douglasville, GA in 2003. During his school years he excelled in soccer playing both High School Soccer and on a traveling team, DC Force 86, as goal keeper. For school he made the Sentinel’s All County Boys Soccer Team and was named Douglas County’s Player of the Year in 2003. DC Force 86 finished as a U19 GA Junior A2 undefeated division Champions. He also earned two black belts in Karate and was a Junior Olympic Champion, plus a National and International Champion. Josh enlisted in the Army in July 2005 as a 18X, Special Forces Candidate. After Basic Training, Airborne, Air Assault School and months of training at Fort Bragg, NC he volunteered to became an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Technician. He graduated EOD School at Eglin Air Force Base, FL in 2007 and was assigned to 716th Ordnance Company (EOD), Fort Richardson, AK. Josh deployed with the 716th EOD to Afghanistan in 2008. He was later assigned to the 55th Ordnance Company (EOD), Fort Belvoir, VA where he became a certified EOD Team Leader in 2009. He was assigned to his current unit, the 748th Ordnance Company (EOD) Fort Carson CO in 2012, where he integrated his team with 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne). He deployed to Afghanistan in May 2013 in support of the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force. SSG Bowden was killed in action while conducting combat operations on August 31, 2013. Staff Sergeant Bowden’s awards include the Bronze Star Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal with V device, the Purple Heart (with Oak Leaf Clusters), the Army Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal (third award), the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal, the NCO Professional Development Ribbon, and the Army Service Ribbon. He has also been awarded the Army Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge and the explosive Ordnance Disposal Basic and the Senior Badge. Staff Sergeant Bowden was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery, at the age of 28. He loved his job and would not have changed anything, he was where he wanted and needed to be despite everything. He saved his men and gave “No quarter”. SSG Bowden is survived by his wife, April Bowden, their son, Kaden, his parents Ray and Yolanda Bowden, sister, Shanda and husband Donny, and brother Dugger and wife Cassie. We are truly honored to be hosting SSG Bowdens parents tonight at the Atlanta Falcons game & help share their sons legacy.
Posted on: Thu, 18 Sep 2014 23:01:11 +0000