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17th Commander
White Sands Missile Range
Page 17 of 26
Major General Joe Owens
Commander
Jun 4, 1986 - Oct 16, 1987
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Major General Joe S. Owens, the 17th Commander of White
Sands Proving Ground/Missile Range, was born in Little Rock, AR on December 4,
1931. Upon completion of the Reserve Officers Training Corps curriculum and
the educational course of study at the University of Oklahoma, he was
commissioned a second lieutenant and awarded a Bachelor of Arts degree in
history. He also holds a Master of Science degree in public administration.
His military education includes completion of the Field Artillery School’s
Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, the US Army Command and General Staff
College and the US Army War College.
He became Commanding General, White Sands Missile
Range, NM in June 1986. Other key assignments held recently include a tour as
Deputy Commanding General, VII Corps, US Army Europe and Commander, Greater
Stuttgart Military Community; Commanding General, US Army Readiness and
Mobilization Region VII, and Deputy Commanding General, Fifth US Army, Fort
Sam Houston, Texas.
Maj. Gen. Owens served in a variety of important career
building assignments preparatory to his most recent duties. He has been the
Assistant Chief of Staff, G1 (Personnel) and Commander of the 1st Battalion,
5th Artillery, both in the 1st Infantry Division, Vietnam. Also in Vietnam, he
commanded the 7th Batta1ion, 15th Artillery, 1st Field Force. He was the
Chief, Automation and Reports Branch, Control Division, Joint Secretariat,
Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Washington, DC. At Fort Sill, OK he
served as the Director of Personnel and Community Activities for the U.S. Army
Field Artillery Center. There he was also Deputy Commander, and later
Commander, III Corps Artillery. In Europe, he was Commander of Division
Artillery, and subsequently Chief of Staff, in the 3rd Infantry Division
(Mechanized). He also served as the Chief of Staff V Corps.
Awards and decorations Maj. Gen. Owens has received
include the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star
Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, the Meritorious Service Medal, several Air
Medals and the Army Commendation Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters.
He was married to the former Ruth A. (Ann) Gray. They
had two children: Joe S. Jr. and Lisa Ann Hawkins.
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