Roscoe Bowman fenced épée for the US at the 1920 Antwerpen Olympics. His brother, William was also an Olympic fencer for the USA, at Stockholm in 1912. Bowman was a career military officer, who eventually reached the rank of Rear Admiral. In World War II he was awarded the Legion of Merit with a Combat “V” for meritorious service in July 1945 during extended offensive operations against Japan, while directing his air group. For his services in World War II, Bowman received awards from the governments of Brazil, Spain, Peru, Chile, and the Philippines.