USS Owen (DD-536), was a of the United States Navy.
Namesake
Elias K. Owen was born on 21 November 1834, in Chicago, Illinois. In 1848, Congressman Abraham Lincoln of Springfield, took Owen to Washington and had him entered in United States Naval Academy, at the age of 14 years as a Midshipman on 7 December 1848. He graduated on 15 July 1854, was promoted to Master on 15 September 1855, Lieutenant on 16 September 1855, Lieutenant Commander on 16 July 1862 and Commander on 25 July 1866. During the Civil War he served in the Mississippi Squadron, commanding and a division of Admiral David Porter's squadron. After the Civil War he commanded the steam sloop Seminole in Panama, 1868–1869. He retired on 9 June 1876 and died on 8 April 1877 at Kaskaskia, Illinois.
Owen, assigned to Destroyer Squadron 52 (DesRon 52), completed shakedown off California and training in Hawaii in time to join the Fast Carrier Task Force (then called TF 58, as it was then part of the 5th Fleet) for Operation Flintlock. Operating with the carriers throughout most of World War II, she escorted them to their objectives; screened them as they launched dive bombing, strafing, and torpedo attacks; and covered them as they retired.
Honors
Owen earned 9 battle stars during World War II; 2 during the Korean War.