MG Joe Owens
Major General Joe Spencer Owens was born December 4, 1931 in Little Rock, Arkansas. He graduated from the University of Oklahoma with Bachelor of Arts in History and commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Field Artillery branch.
After completing the Field Artillery Basic course, he began his successful career which took him all over the world. His major career highlights include Battalion Commander in Vietnam, serving with the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Director of Personnel at Ft. Sill, Commander of the 3rd Infantry Division’s artillery in Europe, Chief of Staff of V Corps in Europe, Commanding General of Army Readiness at Sam Houston, and Commanding General of White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico.
He awards and decorations include: the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star (with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters), Meritorious Service Medal, and Army Commendation Medal (with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters).
After 34 years of service in the Army, retired in 1987. Afterward, he worked for a Fortune 500 company until retiring yet again at the age of 65. He has since settled down in Salado, Texas, near a golf course. He is happily married to his wife of 55 years, Ruth, and has two children and three grandchildren.