Lieutenant Colonel Elmer G. Owens was commissioned Infantry upon graduation from Officer Candidate School 27 March 1942. His first duty assignment was as Assistant Adj-2nd Stu Tng Regiment, Fort Benning, Georgia. | His subsequent duty assignments include: Adjutant-78th Regiment., IRTC, Camp Robinson, Arkansas; S-3 78th Regiment, IRTC, Camp Robinson, Arkansas; Asst Adj Gen 81st Inf Div, FECOM; Actg Adj Gen 81st Inf Div, FECOM;  Actg Asst Adj Gne IX Corps, FECOM;  S-2 37th Inf Regiment, Fort Benning, Georgia; Adj Sch Trps The Infantry School&325th Inf, Fort Benning Georgia; Bn ExO 1st Bn 32nd & 5th Inf, FECOM; Regiment'l ExO 5th Inf Regiment, FECOM; ExO 5th Inf Regiment & Co 1st Bn, FECOM; S-3 5th Inf Regiment, USARPAC; S-3 5th Inf Regiment, FECOM; Chief AAA Sec SA Br CMDTAGO, Pentagon, Washington D.C.; Asst Chief SA Br CMDTAGO, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.; ExO G-3 USARCARIB & G3 23d Div, USARCARIB; Secretary General Staff, USARCARIB; Dep G-3 USARCARIB. | Lieutenant Colonel Owens attended the University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland and American Extension School of Law, Chicago, Illinois and holds a degree in General Law-General(LLB). Military schools attended include: Branch Basic Course, Branch Advanced Course, C&GS School or College, Sandia-Special Weapons Orientation Course. | His awards and decorations include: Commendation Ribbon, Bronze Star w/ V, Legion of Merit, Silver Star, Occ Medal, World War II Vic Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Republic of Korea, Presidential Unit Citation, American Def Svc Medal, As-Pac Svc Medal, Korean Svc Medal, American Campaign Medal, UN Service Medal, and National Defense Service Medal.