Rowe, William N. (P2, C4, L1)

First Lieutenant William Neil Rowe, 23, of Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky, died on 27 January 1945 in an airplane crash on Luzon Island, Philippines two days before the US forces landed on Luzon.

Rowe enlisted in Battery A of the 138th Field Artillery in October 1939. He was still attending high school at the time. His records show he served with Company G from August 1938 to September 1938 and again with Company H from August 1939 to September 1939. He was promoted to Corporal in August 1940 serving with A Battery. Rowe completed high school DuPont Manual Training High School just before going on federal active duty.

He was inducted into federal service with his unit in January 1941. In May 1942 he was received a commendation for his survey work for Battery A while at Camp Shelby. He was promoted to Staff Sergeant in August. Rowe attended Officer Candidate School at Fort Sill, Oklahoma and graduated in January 1943 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant.

Rowe's name was included on a plaque at his high school honoring the World War One and World War II dead in August 1946.
Rowe's remains were returned to the United States in 1949 and a funeral was held on August 31, 1949. According to newspaper reports he was to be buried in Resthaven Memorial Park in Louisville.