Captain Bostwick was the pilot of a F9F-2 Panther jet fighter with Marine Fighter Squadron 311, Marine Air Group 33, 1st Marine Air Wing. On 10 May 1952, while on a combat mission, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire, rolled over, crashed and burst into flames. His remains were not recovered. His name is inscribed on the Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial.

For his leadership and valor, Captain Bostwick was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with 2 Gold Stars, the Purple Heart, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.