Soldier Honored: Alan Rowe

Major Alan Rowe, 35, of Hagerman, Idaho, was assigned to the 1^st Battalion, 7^th Marine Regiment, 1^st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif., and served during Operation Iraqi Freedom. On September 3, 2004, Maj. Rowe was killed during enemy action in Anbar province, Iraq.

Maj. Rowe enlisted in November 1985 while he was a senior at Gooding High School. Upon completion of recruit training, he served in two Western Pacific deployments and Operation Desert Shield/Storm. After leaving active duty in August 1991, Maj. Rowe joined the active reserves, attended Boise State University in Boise, Idaho, and was accepted in the Platoon Leader's Course. Upon graduation in 1994, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant. Maj. Rowe's decorations include a Purple Heart, a Navy and Marine Commendation, a Navy and Marine Achievement with star, a Combat Action with star, a Navy Unit Commendation with star, a Meritorious Unit Commendation, Good Conduct, Selected Marine Corps Reserve and National Defense Service with star.

Maj. Rowe was admired by many for his outstanding qualities of integrity, devotion, and commitment to duty. He loved the mountains, beauty and peace found in Idaho. “He was a quiet, humble person and extremely polite,” his wife recalled from their early days of dating. “He was a traditional type of gentleman. My mom was surprised to meet such a picture-perfect Marine.”

Both of Maj. Rowe’s children are Folds of Honor Scholarship recipients.