Among his awards and decorations were four awards of the Army Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star (2), Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Croix de Guerre (France), Order of Military Merit (South Korea), Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, Combat Infantryman Badge, and Senior Parachutist Badge.

[3][4][5] Bowen joined the Organized Reserve Corps as a private in 1927, and served until beginning attendance at the United States Military Academy (West Point).

[9] Bowen was in command of his company when the United States entered World War II, and he was promoted to major on February 1, 1942.

[9] He was in command during Operation Torch in late 1942, when his battalion was part of the U.S. force that attacked Oran, Algeria, then occupied by Vichy France and Nazi Germany.

[9] Bowen became ill while in England, which required a sustained period of convalescence, so in December 1943 he returned to the United States, where he was hospitalized until May 1944.

[9] After recovering, he joined the Operations section of the general staff at the War Department, where he served until May 1945, when he was assigned to the Office of the Military Aide to the President.

[9] Bowen was then assigned as Plans and Operations staff officer for United States Caribbean Command, where he served from 1948 to 1951.

[9] In 1953, Bowen was assigned to Korean War duty as deputy chief of staff for administration (G-1) for Eighth United States Army in South Korea, and he was promoted to brigadier general in October 1953.

[3] Bowen's awards and decorations included: Army Distinguished Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters; Silver Star with oak leaf cluster; Legion of Merit; Bronze Star Medal; Croix de Guerre (France); Order of Military Merit (South Korea); Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation; Combat Infantryman Badge; and Senior Parachutist Badge.