Donald W. McGowan
| Donald W. McGowan | |
|---|---|
Major General McGowan as National Guard Bureau Chief
|
|
| Born |
August 30, 1899 Orange, New Jersey |
| Died | September 24, 1967 (aged 68) Lawrence Township, Mercer County, New Jersey |
| Buried at | Arlington National Cemetery |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/branch | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1916–1963 |
| Rank | Major General |
| Unit |
New Jersey National Guard National Guard Bureau |
| Commands held |
102nd Cavalry Regiment 50th Armored Division Army National Guard National Guard Bureau |
| Battles/wars |
Pancho Villa Expedition World War I World War II |
| Awards |
Distinguished Service Medal (U.S. Army) Bronze Star Medal |
| Other work | President, United States Armor Association |
Donald Wilson McGowan (August 30, 1899 – September 24, 1967) was a United States Army Major General who served as commander of the 50th Armored Division and Chief of the National Guard Bureau.
McGowan was born on August 30, 1899, in Orange, New Jersey. He graduated from high school in Orange in 1916, and enlisted in the New Jersey National Guard’s Company I, 5th Infantry Regiment. He served with his regiment in Texas during in the Pancho Villa Expedition.
McGowan was promoted to Sergeant Major of the 114th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Division in 1918. He served in Europe, and took part in the Meuse-Argonne and Alsace campaigns. In late 1918 the Army asked commanders to recommend students from the ranks for attendance at the United States Military Academy, and McGowan's brigade commander, John McAuley Palmer, recommended him. McGowan attended West Point from 1919 to 1922, but resigned without graduating and returned to the New Jersey National Guard.
In 1922 McGowan received a commission as a Second Lieutenant. He held a variety of command and staff positions as he advanced through the ranks, primarily with the 44th Infantry Division. In 1935 he graduated from the United States Army Command and General Staff College. He was a Lieutenant Colonel when he served as New Jersey’s Assistant Adjutant General from 1936 to 1941.
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