Born: unknown
Died:
Campaigns Served: Namur, Saipan, Tinian, Iwo Jima (sick)
Highest Rank Attained: Sergeant
Decorations:
Joseph Cowan was a pre-war regular Marine who had served as part of the detachment aboard the USS Ranger, the first American vessel designed as an aircraft carrier from the keel up. She was returning to Norfolk from Trinidad when news of the Japanese attack broke. Ranger completed one more patrol before putting in for repairs at Norfolk in March, 1942; Cowan likely left the ship around this time.
Cowan became a corporal leading a squad in Charlie Company, 24th Marines. He was promoted to sergeant on January 11, 1944, and held that rank through all four campaigns of the 4th Division.
Sergeant Cowan was evacuated from Iwo Jima for illness on February 20, 1945. He did not return to combat.