Donald Campbell Bowman

Lieutenant Colonel Donald Campbell Bowman, United States Army (Retired), passed away on September 4, 2021, in Savannah, GA, after a lengthy illness. He was 86. Don was born in 1935, in Tampa, FL. He grew up in Miami and in Highland Park in Dallas, TX.

Don attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he received a Bachelor of Science. After graduation in 1957, he served in the 82nd Airborne Division in the United States, the Airborne Brigade of the 8th Infantry Division in Germany, and the 1st Cavalry Division in Korea. After returning to West Point, where he was appointed as the Academy’s first Protocol Officer, Don rejoined the 1st Cavalry Division (commonly known as the 1st Air Cavalry Division) in Vietnam.

For his actions in combat, Don received awards including the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star with Valor Device, the Bronze Star, the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm, the Purple Heart, and others. Additionally, he earned the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Expert Infantryman Badge, the Ranger Tab, the Master Parachutist Badge, the Pathfinder Badge, the Army General Staff Badge, and the Army Recruiter's Badge. Don was a distinguished member of the Ranger Training Brigade and was inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame in 2011.

During his extensive career, Don served in command at every level from platoon to battalion, and he served on staff at all levels from battalion to Department of the Army. A master of doctrine, he wrote the manual used to train Pathfinders during the Vietnam War. He taught in the U.S. Army Airborne School and the U.S. Army Ranger School at Fort Benning, GA, where he was the Deputy Director.

"Pop" was a hero to his country and his family. He married the love of his life, the former Cynthia Young in Columbus, GA, on April 8, 1961. They shared the next 60 years, enjoying life and moving all over the country with their sons, Cam and Andrew. In addition, Don earned a Masters of Science in Administration in Industrial Personnel Management from George Washington University in Washington, D.C.

After retiring from Army life in 1977, Don and Cynthia returned to Cynthia’s hometown of Columbus, GA. Don received his accounting training at Columbus State University and was awarded his certificate to practice by the Georgia State Board of Accountancy in 1988. Don practiced as a CPA for over 30 years. In addition, he served on the board or in an advisory position to numerous businesses and organizations around Columbus and the Valley.

Don was instrumental, with many friends, in assisting the Ranger Memorial Foundation in recognizing and commemorating all Rangers at the Ranger Monument at Fort Benning. In addition, he served as treasurer of the National Ranger Memorial Foundation, Inc. for 18 years.

Don was a founder and president of the Rotary Club of Muscogee-Columbus. He and Cynthia were faithful members of Saint James the Great Anglican Church in Smiths Station.

Don was the author of "Miss Mary's Honor Guard" in 2010, which he began writing to take his mind off chemotherapy. Through the novel, he shared his love of history, action, danger, adventure and romance. He was awarded the Distinguished Alumnus award from his alma mater, Dallas' Highland Park High School in 2012.

Above all else, Don was devoted to his family and will be deeply missed. He was predeceased in death by his parents, Jackson Harrison Bowman II and Margaret Louise McMullen Bowman, his brother Jackson H. Bowman III, Jack’s wife Runelle, and his niece Margaret Bowman.

Don is survived by his wife, Cynthia Young Bowman, his son Cam (Catherine) of Savannah, his son Andrew (Charlotte) of Columbus, and grandchildren Hunter Bowman (Alexis) of Birmingham, Sarah Bowman of Athens, James and Fletcher Bowman of Columbus. He also leaves behind a nephew, Jackson Harrison Bowman VI (Robyn) and many loved members of Cynthia’s family, the Youngs, Waddells, and Kennons.

Visitation will be held at Striffler-Hamby Funeral Home, Columbus, on Friday, September 10, 2021, between 6:00 and 8:00 p.m. A graveside service will be held at Linwood Cemetery on Saturday, September 11, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to National Ranger Memorial Foundation, Inc.