Hank Fowler was born in 1939 in Chevy Chase, Maryland. After completing his bachelor's degree, he entered Officer Training School with the U.S. Air Force on November 13, 1964, and was commissioned a 2d Lt at Lackland AFB, Texas, on February 10, 1965. Lt Fowler next completed Undergraduate Pilot Training and was awarded his pilot wings at Williams AFB, Arizona, in May 1966, followed by Pilot Systems Operator Training and F-4 Phantom II Combat Crew Training from May to December 1966. His first assignment was as an F-4 pilot with the 433rd Tactical Fighter Squadron at Ubon Royal Thai AFB, Thailand, from January 1967 until he was forced to eject over North Vietnam and was taken as a Prisoner of War on March 26, 1967. After spending 2,157 days in captivity, Capt Fowler was released during Operation Homecoming on February 18, 1973. He was briefly hospitalized to recover from his injuries, and then completed C-141 Starlifter transition training before serving as a C-141 pilot with the 86th Military Airlift Squadron at Travis AFB, California, from February 1974 to October 1975. Maj Fowler then received an Air Force Institute of Technology assignment to complete his Law Degree at Sanford University from October 1975 to August 1978, followed by service as Director of Civil Law at Maxwell AFB, Alabama, from August 1978 to April 1979. His next assignment was as Assistant Staff Judge Advocate at Maxwell from April to November 1979, and then as Chief of the Military Affairs Division at Maxwell from November 1979 to June 1980. LtCol Fowler next served as an Instructor at the Air Force JAG School at Maxwell from June 1980 to February 1981, followed by service as Chief of the Civil Law Division with the Air Force JAG School at Maxwell from February 1981 to July 1984. His next assignment was as Deputy Staff Judge Advocate at Ramstein AB, West Germany, from July 1984 to July 1987, and then as Staff Judge Advocate at Offutt AFB, Nebraska, from July 1987 to July 1989. Col Fowler's final assignment was as Staff Judge Advocate at Maxwell AFB from July 1989 until his retirement from the Air Force on August 1, 1991.

His 1st (of 2) Silver Star Citation reads:

First Lieutenant Henry P. Fowler Jr. distinguished himself by gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as an F4C Pilot in North Vietnam on 26 March 1967. On that date, Lieutenant Fowler's flight was on a day strike/combat air patrol mission against a target area with numerous defenses. Lieutenant Fowler delivered his ordnance directly on target under withering fire from hostile forces. After all ordnance was expended the strike was engaged by hostile aircraft. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, Lieutenant Fowler suppressed the hostile aircraft engagement subjecting himself to intense attack by numerous surface-to-air missiles. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Lieutenant Fowler has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.