This Military Service Page was created/owned by
SSG Justin Davis
to remember
Rowan, Andrew Summers, LTC.
If you knew or served with this Soldier and have additional information or photos to support this Page, please leave a message for the Page Administrator(s) HERE.
Contact Info
Home Town Gap MIlls
Date of Passing Jan 10, 1943
Location of Interment Arlington National Cemetery (VLM) - Arlington, Virginia
Rowan, Andrew S. Captain, U.S. Army Home: Union, West Virginia 19th Infantry Date of Action: May 1898 General Orders No. No. 38, W.D., 1922
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Andrew S. Rowan, Captain , U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action in connection with the operations in Cuba in May, 1898.
At the outbreak of the Spanish-American campaign Lieutenant Rowan, under disguise, entered the enemy lines in Oriente, crossed the island of Cuba, and not only succeeded in delivering a message to General Garcia, but secured secret information relative to existing military conditions in that region of such great value that it had an important bearing on the quick ending of the struggle and the complete success of the U.S. Army.
Rowan’s army career was, for the most part, unremarkable: garrison duty at various posts in the United States; some survey work in Central America; a Washington assignment in the Adjutant General’s Office; appointment as military attaché to Chile; staff service in Puerto Rico and Cuba during the War with Spain; some time in the Philippines; a year teaching military science in Kansas; and retirement as major after thirty years service.
There was one spectacular break in the routine. Early in 1898, Rowan was dispatched on a secret mission to obtain information on the strength of rebel forces in Cuba from their leader, Gen. Calixto Garcia. Rowan landed on the island the day Spain declared war, found Garcia, and returned with the information in eleven days. Rowan’s exploit inspired a much–reprinted and much–translated 1899 pamphlet by Elbert Hubbard, Message to Garcia, that made the officer’s name world famous.
1891-1902, HHC, 1st Battalion, 19th Infantry
Attention! The dates you selected for being assigned to this Unit are outside the 1901 to 1986 we believe this Unit was in existence. Can you please re-check your dates and click HERE if you wish to amend these? If you believe your Unit was in existence during your selected dates, please let us know at admin@togetherweserved.com.