DR. STANLEY S. McGOWEN
BANQUET SPEAKER
Stanley S. McGowen grew up in Baird, Texas and spent over
twenty-one years in the U.S. Army. After graduating from
Tarleton State College in 1969, he served with the 101st Airborne
Division (Air Assault) in South Vietnam as well as tours of duty
in Panama, Germany, Alaska, and the “lower 48" states.
McGowen’s awards include the Combat Infantry Badge, Master
Army Aviator Badge, Ranger Tab, and Parachute and Air Assault
Badges, along with such valorous awards as the Distinguished
Flying Cross and Soldier’s Medal. He has over 5,000 hours
flying a variety of helicopters and 1,000 hours of fixed wing time.
In addition to service in Infantry and Aviation, Dr. McGowen
spent several years as a Military Intelligence officer,
concentrating on Middle Eastern conflicts.
After losing his eyesight in an airplane crash in 1990, McGowen
returned to collegiate life where he earned a M A and PhD in
American history from Texas Christian University. During his
ten-year term as a professor McGowen published three books,
including the award-winning, Horse Sweat and Powder Smoke:
The First Texas Cavalry in the Civil War,
The Helicopter: Essential to Modern Warfare; and
You Ain’t Gonna Believe This But . . . : A Different Side of
Vietnam.
He also published over thirty articles in the historical genre
before shifting his focus to outdoor activities.
McGowen hunts with standard firearms, each mounting either a
long eye-relief pistol scope or red dot sight. He requires a
sighted assistant to peer over his shoulder, through the sight,
and direct him on target with whispered commands.
Returning to the out-of-doors, McGowen now concentrates on
hunting and shooting sports for disabled sportsmen and
women. As a volunteer for several Veteran’s organizations,
MCGowen organized programs which allowed over 400 injured
Veterans and family members to participate in hunting and other
outdoor activities. Recently Dr. McGowen was instrumental in
the Texas State Rifle Association (TSRA) initiating legislation
which permits legally blind hunters to utilize laser sights to hunt
game animals in Texas, greatly enhancing visually impaired
hunters’ chances of success. Several prestigious outdoor
magazines published Dr. McGowen’s articles, including
Petersen’s Hunting Magazine, Sports Afield, The Journal of the
Texas Trophy Hunters, and Quality Whitetails