Angus Sowell was born on May 22, 1945, in Georgia. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force Reserve on January 29, 1966, and went on active duty beginning March 16, 1966. After completing basic training at Lackland AFB, Texas, he was trained as a Pararescueman. His first assignment was as a Pararescueman with the 37th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron at Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai AFB, Thailand, from September 1967 to March 1968, followed by hospitalization to recover from injuries received in combat at Maxwell AFB, Alabama, from March to July 1968. Sgt Sowell next served as a Pararescueman with the 48th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron at Eglin AFB, Florida, from July 1968 to February 1969, and then as a Pararescue Instructor with the Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Training Center at Eglin AFB from February 1969 until his honorable discharge from the Air Force on June 30, 1972. During this time, Sgt Sowell served as the Pararescueman aboard the HH-53 "Apple Three" during the Son Tay Raid, a clandestine mission to rescue American Prisoners of War in North Vietnam on November 21, 1970.

The Airman's Creed:

I am an American Airman.
I am a Warrior.
I have answered my Nation's call.

I am an American Airman.
My mission is to Fly, Fight, and Win.
I am faithful to a Proud Heritage,
A Tradition of Honor,
And a Legacy of Valor.

I am an American Airman.
Guardian of Freedom and Justice,
My Nation's Sword and Shield,
Its Sentry and Avenger.
I defend my Country with my Life.

I am an American Airman.
Wingman, Leader, Warrior.
I will never leave an Airman behind,
I will never falter,
And I will not fail.