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Richard Cowan

Richard Cowan was born December 5, 1922, in Lincoln, Nebraska. Cowan grew up in Wichita, Kansas, where he eventually attended college. On October 13, 1943, Cowan enlisted in the army during World War II and was sent to Europe. On December 16, 1944, Cowan and his fellow soldiers defended against a superior German force at the Battle of the Bulge. Cowan was one of the few survivors of his unit and continued to fight until forced to retreat into a nearby town. He was killed by enemy fire December 17, 1944. Cowan received the Congressional Medal of Honor from President Truman for his courageous fighting. The medal was presented to his family on June 23, 1945.

Entry: Cowan, Richard

Author: Kansas Historical Society

Author information: The Kansas Historical Society is a state agency charged with actively safeguarding and sharing the state's history.

Date Created: May 2012

Date Modified: January 2022

The author of this article is solely responsible for its content.