Ronald S. Owens
Electronic Warfare Technician 2nd Class
28 September 2020
Ronald S. Owens
Oct. 31, 1975–Oct. 12, 2000
Ronald Scott Owens was born on Oct. 31, 1975. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on Nov. 2, 1998.
After completing Basic Training in Great Lakes, Illinois, on Jan. 8, 1999, Owens was a student at the Center for Naval Intelligence in San Diego, California, completing training on Jan. 11, 2000. He reported to USS Cole (DDG 67) on Jan. 23, 2000.
Owens was killed in the line of duty when a terrorist bomb was detonated along the port side of the ship while it was refueling in Aden, Yemen, on Oct.12, 2000.
Petty Officer Owens was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Unit Commendation, and the rank of Electronic Warfare Technician 2nd Class.
EDITOR'S NOTE:
Sources: USS Cole (DDG 67) Med Cruise 2000 (Aug. 8–Nov. 3, 2000) Cruise Book in the collection of the Naval History and Heritage Command’s Navy Department Library. Awards and citations are sourced from the service member’s official military personnel file and listed in the Navy Department Awards Web Service site and may not be complete.