Son of Ralph Cowman, Sr. Entered service July 20, 1943 in the Air Corps. Received training at Camp Custer, Michigan; Kessler Field, Mississippi; Morningside College, Sioux City, Iowa. For Pilot training to Santa Ana, California; Las Vegas, Nevada; Selman Field, Monroe, Louisiana; Tampa, Florida; and Avon Park, Florida. Going overseas to England. Returned to U.S. June 1945, going to Sioux City Falls, South Dakota and San Marcos, Texas. Discharged October 20, 1945 at Randolph Field, Texas as FO.