Brandon Boatright has informed us of the passing of a former Black Lion, Ernest Rowland. Ernest was already a Veteran of the Korean War and recipient of the Purple Heart when he joined the Black Lions in Viet Nam. His Obituary is below. I do not have any information on exactly which unit Ernest served with and if you remember Sgt Rowland please let us know so we can publish on this website. Is it possible he was with Bravo Company 2nd Battalion 28th Infantry? I seem to remember someone like him from around July 1967. Our condolences go out to the whole Rowland family and all his friends. Rest in Peace, Brother.
Ernest Norman Rowland, 80, of Raytown, MO, left this world on March 16, 2012, to join his beloved wife Nora. He was born Dec. 19, 1931, in Muskogee, OK, to Loyd B. and Mary Gertrude Rowland. Norman was a beloved father, uncle, grandfather, and great-grandfather and friend. He leaves behind son, Ernest Rowland, Jr. (Kristin) of Olathe, KS, daughter, Mary Monnin (Robert) of Raytown, MO, son, Scott Rowland (Sara) of Upland, CA, grandchildren, Alison Thompson (Kyle), Heidi Monnin (Brandon), Cathy Reinsel (Matt), and triplets Rosalie, Alexander, and Maxwell Rowland; great- grandchildren, Kennedy and Quinn Thompson; sister, Helen Hughes and brother, Melvin Rowland of Muskogee, OK. Norman served 28 years in the U.S. Army. He was stationed in Japan, Korea, Guam, Vietnam, and in Germany four different times. His career began with the 45th (Thunderbird) Infantry Division in Korea, where he was wounded in a mortar attack and awarded the Purple Heart. His service in Vietnam was with the Big Red One, 28th Infantry “Black Lions” which he was most proud of. He received multiple awards of the Bronze Star while serving in Vietnam. His final military service was again with the Big Red One in Ft. Riley, where he served as the Commandant of the NCO Academy. When he retired from the Army, he started a second career with the Social Security Administration as a Claims Adjuster, and moved to Raytown, MO, in 1979. Norman was a charter member of the Muskogee High School National Honor Society, and remained a great reader all of his life. He loved animals, and always had dogs or cats or both as house pets. He was an avid chess player and played in many chess tournaments throughout the years. He enjoyed playing GURPS and M:TG with his family and friends, as well as playing Asheron’s Call with his online friends. Norman was very generous with his friends, family, and his favorite charity, Raytown Emergency Assistance Program. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 24, at Park Lawn Funeral Home, 8251 Hillcrest Rd, Kansas City, MO. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Raytown Emergency Assistance Program, 9300 75th St., Raytown, MO 64138. Arrangements: Park Lawn Funeral Home, (816) 523-1234.
Published in Kansas City Star on March 18, 2012
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