Army Staff Sgt. James D. Mowris, Age 37, of Aurora Missouri;
Assigned to 805th Military Police Company, Army Reserve, Raleigh, North Carolina;
Killed when a weapons cache exploded January 29, 2004, west of Ghanzi, Afghanistan.
(www.militarycity.com)

FROM "OZARK WARRIORS"
(http://www.ozarkwarriors.com/memorial_page.htm)

In Memory of
Army Staff Sergeant James Douglas Mowris
1966 - 2004

The distinguished military career of Army Staff Sergeant James Douglas Mowris, age 37, ended in the line of duty on January 29, 2004. Staff Sergeant Mowris was one of seven soldiers killed that Thursday in an explosion during the clearing of an enemy weapons and ammunition cache in Ghazni, Afghanistan. He is survived by his wife Michele, his son Craig, age 14, and his daughter MacKenzie, age 9.

Born May 11, 1966 in Pennsylvania, Staff Sergeant Mowris took his first step onto Active Duty, in the United States Army, on September 7, 1984, at the age of 18. After completing his first three-year Active Duty enlistment term, he married Mary Michele Evens, of Aurora, Missouri.  In 1989 their lives were blessed with a son, Craig Andrew, and five years later in 1994, blessed with a daughter Mackenzie Elizabeth.

Over a period marking nearly twenty years, Staff Sergeant Mowris served his country in varying capacities, in uniform: 3 years and 4 months initial Active Duty enlistment from 1984 to 1988 during which time he attended Basic Training and Military Police training at Ft. McClellan, Alabama; another 3 years Active Duty from 1992 to 1995 (984th Military Police Company) attending Nuclear Biological Chemical Warfare Training (1993) and Primary Leadership Development Course (1994); and just shy of 6 years from 1998 to 2004 with the Army Reserve (414th Military Police Company, 530th Military Police Battalion, 805th Military Police Company), attending Total Army Instructor Training Course (2000). His current term of service was to expire in May 2004.

During these periods of enlistments, overseas and state-side deployments and temporary duty locations included: Turkey (1986-87); Saudi Arabia, “Operation Desert Shield / Desert Storm” (1991); Somalia, “Operation Provide Hope” (1993); Honduras, “Task Force Bravo” (1994-95); El Salvador, “Operation New Horizons, Joint Task Force New Hope” (1999); Kosovo, “Operation Joint Guardian” (2000-01); Cuba, “Operation Enduring Freedom” (2002); Ft. Benning, GA “Operation Noble Eagle” (2002); and Afghanistan, “Operation Enduring Freedom” (2003-04).

Staff Sergeant Mowris, has long been described by his fellow soldiers as, “a man always ready and able to lead the way.” Members from the 414th Military Police Company agree that Staff Sergeant Mowris set a high standard, that of a truly professional soldier. 

Awards earned during his time of service, include: Bronze Star (Posthumous), Meritorious Service Medal (Posthumous), Army Commendation Medal (2nd Award), Joint Service ACH Medal, Army Achievement Medal (2nd Award), Army Good Conduct, Army Reserve ACH Medal (2nd Award), National Defense Service Medal (2nd Award), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal with 2 Bronze Service Stars, Humanitarian Service Medal (Hurricane “Mitch” Operation), Armed Forces Reserve Medal with “M” (2nd Award), Non-commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon, United Nations Medal, NATO Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia), Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait), Kosovo Campaign Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Army Superior Unit Award – Task Force Eagle, Driver & Mechanic Badge with Driver-W Bar, Army Lapel Button.

In the civilian sector, Staff Sergeant Mowris was a correctional officer at the U.S. Medical Center for Federal Prisoners in Springfield, Missouri, since January 2003. While at home he enjoyed coaching football and baseball, and had been a member of his Church League softball team.

Those who had the honor of knowing and serving with Staff Sergeant Mowris mourn his passing deeply, and pray for his family, his wife, and his children.  Let it be known, that on this day, our country lost an honorable man, a loving husband, a devoted father, and an exemplary American soldier.

SSG Mowris

So many serve this country, with valor and with pride,
So many have made sacrifices, so many who have died.
It never seems to stop them, when they get the call…
They still serve with honor, still giving it their all.
Their families sit and wonder if fate will see them through,
Their hearts yearn for their loved ones, but they have a job to do.
They carry on with one another, and take care of their own,
Trying not to think of pain, trying not to think of home.
There are some who stand above them, and guide them to success,
There are some who wear the uniform who are the very best.
There are some who cross their path, who teach them all they need,
One who makes them stand up straighter, one who is made to lead.
Our soldiers feel so blessed to have served with a man like Mo.
Our soldiers feel so helpless now when they have to let him go.
They will finish out their duty until the very end…
In honor of this man…this soldier and this friend.

Stephanie Geno-2/8/04
(Wife of SGT Josh Geno, 414th MP Company)

PROGRAM FROM SSG MOWRIS' MEMORIAL SERVICE:

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