Rollin James Cowles, Jr.

Captain

United States Army National Guard

 

Rollin James Cowles Jr., the only son of Rollin James and Emma M. King Cowles, was born on 23 March 1896 in Burlington, Iowa.

 

Rollin graduated from Burlington High School in 1915, where he earned major letters in four sports.  He attended summer school at Culver Military Academy in Culver, Indiana.  He later attended the University of Illinois in Champaign, for one plus years, where he was a member of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity.

 

He married Ruth Smith in Burlington on 5 March 1920.  From this marriage, they had two sons; Rollin James III and David Brooks Cowles.

 

Rollin enlisted in the Iowa National Guard’s Ordnance Department on 14 December 1917, and was later to Company A, 2nd Provisional Ordnance Department on 1 May 1918.   He served in France during World War I.  Rollin was honorably discharged on 24 July 1919.  After receiving his commission as a Cavalry officer, Rollin was assigned to Troop K, 113th Cavalry.  On 16 September 1932, Rollin was promoted to Captain and assumed command of Troop K, 113th Cavalry.  While serving as  Commanding Officer for Service Company, 113th Cavalry at Camp Bowie in Brownwood, Texas, Rollin died from a blood clot on 24 July 1941, after developing pneumonia and suffering a heart attack.  An honor guard of officers and noncommissioned officers who serviced with Rollin, escorted the body back home to Burlington for burial. 

 

Rollin was survived by his mother; his wife; and two sons.

 

Captain Rollin James Cowles Jr., United States Army National Guard, was buried with full military honors on 26 July 1941, in Burlington’s Aspen Groves Cemetery.  Among the dignitaries was Brigadier General Charles H. Grahl, Adjutant General for the State of Iowa.

 

 

Source of information:

 

1.  The Burlington Hawk-Eye Gazette, 25 July 1941, page 2.

2.  The Burlington Hawk-Eye Gazette, 28 July 1941, page 2.

3.  National World War II Memorial veteran’s registry; http://www.wwiimemorial.com

4.  Des Moines County Iowa Veterans Buried with Markers, compiled by the Des Moines County Genealogical Society, 1984.

5.  Letter, picture, and other material from Rollin J. Cowles, III on 25 February 2005.  Rollin J. Cowles, III is Rollin’s son.

 

 

 

HEADQUARTERS IOWA NATIONAL GUARD

 

State of Iowa

Adjutant General’s Office

Des Moines

July 26, 1961

 

 

GENERAL ORDERS

 

NUMBER 6

 

 

The death of Captain Rollin J. Cowles, Commanding Service Troop 113th Cavalry (H-Mecz), occurred at Camp bowie, Brownwood, Texas, on July 24, 1941, as a result of a heart attack following pneumonia.  Captain Cowles was born March 23, 1896.

 

The following is the military service of Captain Cowles in the Iowa National Guard and federal service:

 

Enlisted in Ordnance Department, December 4, 1917.  Transferred May 1, 1918 to Company A 2nd Provisional Ordnance Department.

 

Appointed Corporal October 22, 1918; Sergeant, November 20, 1918.

 

Honorably discharged July 24, 1919, on demobilization.

 

Appointed First Lieutenant, Cavalry, Iowa National Guard, March 5, 1931, and assigned to Troop K, 113th Cavalry.

 

Federal recognition as First Lieutenant, Cavalry, extended March 5, 1931.

 

Appointed  Captain, Cavalry, Iowa National guard, September 16, 1932, and assigned to command Troop K, 113th Cavalry.

 

Federal recognition as Captain, Cavalry, extended September 16, 1932.

 

(Troop K, 113th Cavalry redesignated Service Troop, 113th Cavalry (H-Mecz) September 16, 1940.)

 

Inducted into the active military service of the United States January 13, 1941, Executive Order of the President dated December 23, 1940.

 

As an officer of the 113th Cavalry (H-Mecz), Captain Cowles faithfully served his state and nation.  The Iowa National guard sincerely mourns the loss of Captain Cowles and extends genuine sympathy to the members of his family.

 

By Order of the GOVERNOR:

 

                                                                        CHARLES H. GRAHL,

                                                                        Brig Gen AGD,

                                                                        The Adjutant General

 

OFFICIAL:

            R. A. LANCASTER

            Lt Col AGD

            Assistant Adjutant General.

 

 

Certificate provided by Rollin James Cowles, III 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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