Wayne Edward (Buzz) Owens |
| Posted 2013-11-17 by Pat Wilson |
| Wayne Edward ('Buzz') Owens, 81, of Tempe passed away suddenly at his home on November 5, 2006. He was born March 23, 1925 to Virgil P. Owens and Ila M. Lorback in Columbus, Ohio. Upon graduation from Highland Park High School in New Jersey and brief attendance at Rutgers University, Wayne enlisted into US. Army Air Corps where he excelled in training and was designated a Pursuit Fighter Pilot. In early spring of 1944, Wayne headed to the European Theatre as a Republic P-47 Fighter Pilot subsequently experiencing his first combat mission on June 6, 1944, while flying air support as part of the D-Day Invasion of France. Shortly thereafter, he was, as he used to say, "junior man" selected as a forward air controller for the ground troops in Northern France. After a month of frontline ground duty, Wayne returned to his squadron and continued to fly close air support for the push to Berlin. Wayne's finest day as pilot came on January 1st 1945, during the Battle of The Bulge when he shot down 3 and damaged 2 German Messerschmitt (ME) 109 Fighter Planes during a single aerial engagement; actions which earned him the Silver Star. He was also awarded 2 Distinguished Flying Crosses, 17 Air Medals and numerous Unit Battle Citations. Following WWII Wayne joined the New Jersey Air National Guard and was recalled to active duty for the Korean War. Designated an "all weather" Fighter Intercept Pilot, Wayne flew the F-86 and F-94. Upon completion of his service with tours in Germany and Turkey, Wayne retired and moved to Tempe. After earning a Masters of Science Degree from USC, he worked for the Department of Economic Security for over 20 years. He was also an instructor of Economics and Business courses at Scottsdale Community College. His fondest memories were of time spent hunting, shooting and fishing with family and friends and competing in ballroom dance in both North and South America. He was a lifetime member of the NRA, VFW and Freemasons, and former President of the Arizona State Rifle and Pistol Association. Wayne was preceded in Death by his first wife Patricia A. Desmond, formerly of Tucson, infant son Bernard, and second wife M. Joan Gustafson, formerly of Tempe. Wayne is survived by daughters Donna (Bowers) of Tyler, Texas, Sara (Sise) of Chandler and grandchildren: Nicole Cronkhite (21), Courtney (10) and Caleb Bowers (8) of Tyler, Texas, Owen (7) and Wyatt (4) Sise of Chandler. Memorial service and burial was at Arlington National Cemetery on March 16, 2007. The family asks that in lieu of flowers contributions be made to the American Diabetes Association & the National Rifle Association. Published in The Arizona Republic on 11/19/2006. See Also: Find_A_Grave |
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