Born 1884. Entered the Army in 1904. Came up from the ranks in the Coast Artillery and was commissioned a 1st Lieutenant Infantry Officers' Reserve Corps in 1916. During World War I, he was Operations Officer, Quartermaster Corps Salvage Service, American Expeditionary Forces. Later he served as Executive Officer, Office of the Quartermaster General, Salvage Division and was Executivce Officer, Quartermaster, Hawaiian Department and 5th Corps Area. In 1937 he was supply officer 3rd Corps maneuvers and was Depot Commanding Officer, 1st Army maneuvers in 1940. With the 79th Division he was G4 and Supply Officer, and later held the same post for 1st Military Area, Pennsylvania. He instructed in the organized reserves for nine years. Was Editor of the Quartermaster Review. Stationed at Camp Lee in February 1941 where he supervised all Quartermaster Reserve Training Corps supply schools and the shops and facilities pertaining thereto.
From the description of The John Rowan papers, 1918-1948. (US Army, Mil Hist Institute). WorldCat record id: 22301412
