Robert Gordon Owens Jr. (February 13, 1917 – October 31, 2007) was a highly decorated United States Marine aviator and Major General, who was a flying ace with seven victories during World War II.

[1][3] He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology in June 1938 and after one year in the family truck company, he enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve as Private First Class in August 1939.

Owens began flying air patrols along the coast of California in the new Douglas SBD Dauntless dive bomber, before his squadron was transferred to Hawaii in early 1941.

He led his unit to Midway Atoll and conducted combat air patrols for allied shipping for two months, before they were transferred to a new base at Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides.

[1][3] In January 1944, Owens led his squadron during aerial combat over Rabaul, New Guinea and personally shot down seven Japanese aircraft and probably destroyed five additional planes.

[1][4] Owens became a flying ace for shooting down seven Japanese aircraft and received the Navy Cross, the United States second-highest decoration awarded for valor in combat.

The squadron was ordered back to the United States in early 1946 and Owen was transferred to the headquarters, Aircraft, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific under Major general James T. Moore.

[1] By the end of 1946, Owens returned stateside and was assigned to the Division of Reserve at Headquarters Marine Corps in Washington, D.C. and served under Major general William T. Clement for two years.

Owens was transferred to command Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 323 stationed at MCAS El Toro in March 1954 and his duty consisted of peacetime tactical flight training, and exercises of aerial gunnery and close air support missions.

[1] In February 1958, he was transferred to Hawaii, where he joined the headquarters, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific as Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations (G-3) under Lieutenant General Vernon E. Megee.

[1][3] Owens was ordered to Washington, D.C. in September 1961 and joined the Division of Operations at Headquarters Marine Corps as Assistant Head, Plans Branch.

[1] He was then transferred to the headquarters of III Marine Amphibious Force and served successively under lieutenant generals Lewis W. Walt and Robert E. Cushman Jr. as their Chief of Staff.

[5][1][8] Following his return to the United States, Owens was ordered back to the Headquarters Marine Corps and assumed duty as Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations.

His units provided critical attack, fighter, electronic warfare, and support aircraft needed to augment U.S. air strength in South Vietnam and Thailand.

[3] In the last years of his life, Owens lived with his wife in Fraser Meadows Retirement Community in Boulder, Colorado, where he died on October 31, 2007, aged 90.