Senator Skelos Inducts Specialist Stephen Owen Into Veterans' Hall of Fame

Specialist 4th Class Stephen Owen entered the United States Army on May 4, 1965 along with others from his hometown, and with whom he had attended East Rockaway High School. He completed basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina and went on to complete his Advanced Individual Training at Fort Bliss, Texas. He later shipped off to New Mexico for special training on the M42 “Duster” and the M44 “Quad” .50 caliber machine gun.

Six months after he completed his training, he received orders to deploy to Vietnam. Specialist Owen initially served with Delta Battery, 1st Battalion 44th Air Defense Artillery. Later he transferred to the 41st Air Defense Artillery where he finished out his tour of duty. Upon his arrival home in 1967, he had learned that three out of the five friends who had been drafted into the service with him did not come home. Upon his discharge from the Army, Stephen held the rank of Specialist 4th Class and his awards included the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and the Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Stephen is self-employed, and continues to serve his neighbors as a former Lieutenant and member of the Oceanside Fire Department where he now serves on the board of the Exempt Trustees. Mr. Owen is a life member of the Veterans of Foreigns Wars Post 3350 where he currently serves as the Post Chaplain.