Born in Woodland, CA, on Oct. 3, 1968, to James A. Rowe and Marian Blake Rowe, he came with his family to Idaho when he was 1 year old.

He attended school in Hansen until 1978 when he moved with his family to a farm north of Gooding. Alan was very active in Hansen and Gooding 4-H Clubs, as well as the Gooding High School Future Farmers of America. He exhibited beef shorthorn and dual-purpose milking shorthorn cattle and won many FFA local, district and state public speaking awards. He enlisted in November 1985 while a senior in high school and graduated high school in May of 1986.

Upon completion of recruit training at MCRD San Diego in the fall of 1986, he served with First Force Reconnaissance Company, I Marine Expeditionary Force, participating in two Western Pacific deployments and Operation Desert Shield/Storm. After leaving active duty in August 1991, Sergeant Rowe joined Company C, 4th Tank Battalion, 4th Marine Division, where he served as a tank commander, platoon sergeant and platoon commander.

While in the active reserves, he attended Boise State University in Boise, Idaho, and was accepted in the Platoon Leader's Course. Upon graduation in 1994, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant. Following completion of The Basic School and the Infantry Officer Course in Quantico, Va., Second Lieutenant Rowe reported to 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment and was assigned to Company B as a rifle platoon commander. Second Lieutenant Rowe was promoted to First Lieutenant in December 1996. While serving with 1st Battalion he served as the Boat Company platoon commander and conducted a Western Pacific deployment with Battalion Landing Team 1/1. Upon return, 1st Lieutenant Rowe was assigned back to First Force Reconnaissance Company in July 1998. While serving with First Force, he was promoted to Captain in January 1999. During this time period he deployed on two separate Western Pacific deployments

In February 2000, he was assigned as the Officer in Charge of the Basic Reconnaissance Course, Coronado Island, CA Captain Rowe received orders in August 2002 to attend the Expeditionary Warfare School in Quantico, Va. After graduation, Captain Rowe was stationed at 29 Palms, CA, and assigned to 1st Battalion, 7th Marines. While assigned to 1/7, Captain Rowe deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in June of 2003, and then re-deployed to Iraq this year in August 2004. His combat death occurred less than two weeks after arriving in country. His final assignment was that of Weapons Company Commander, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines.

Alan is survived by his wife, Dawn Haynes Rowe; two very special children, Blake Robert Rowe, 5, and Caitlin Nicole Rowe, 3, all of Yucca Valley, CA He is also survived by his father, James A. Rowe of Twin Falls; and mother, Marian Blake Rowe of Gooding; and a sister, Diana Rowe Pauls.

Alan was preceded in death by his grandparents, John Oliver Rowe and Lillian B. Wood Rowe of Davis, CA, John Luther Blake and Minniella Parker Blake of Arcadia, CA.

Alan was admired by many for his outstanding qualities of integrity, devotion and commitment to duty. He loved the mountains, beauty and peace found in Idaho. He loved taking his Bronco (whichever one was running at the time!) into the hills with his children. He loved the Marine Corps and his country.

He had dreamed of serving his country since he was a small boy. When he became a Marine, he thrived and excelled in the opportunities the Corps offered. We receive some comfort knowing that Alan lived and died doing and being what he wanted to be: A Marine.

Captain Rowe's decorations include Purple Heart, Navy and Marine Commendation, Navy and Marine Achievement with star, Combat Action with star, Navy Unit Commendation with star, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Good Conduct, Selected Marine Corps Reserve, National Defense Service with star, Armed Forces Expeditionary, Southwest Asia Service, Global War On Terror Expeditionary, Humanitarian Service, Sea Service Deployment with four stars, Kuwait Liberation (Saudi Arabia), Kuwait Liberation (Kuwait).
Alan will be greatly missed, but always deeply loved and remembered as the honorable Marine as well as our husband, father, son, brother, nephew and cousin.

His death is a tragic loss to his family, his friends, the Marine Corps and his country. He died a hero to us all, reminding us that freedom is not free.

Captain Alan Blake Rowe will receive full military honors at his burial in Fairfield, Idaho. Funeral honors will be provided by Company C, 4th Tank Battalion, Boise, Idaho.

Captain Alan Blake Rowe, USMC, 35, was killed in combat action in Iraq on Friday, Sept. 3, 2004.