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Personal info

Full name
DOWNING, Gerald D
Date of birth
11 February 1909
Age
35
Place of birth
Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand
Hometown
Washington, District of Columbia

Military service

Service number
33750843
Rank
Private First Class
Function
Rifleman
Unit
L Company,
3rd Battalion,
320th Infantry Regiment,
35th Infantry Division
Awards
Distinguished Service Cross,
Purple Heart

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
1 October 1944
Place of death
Metz, France

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Lorraine
Plot Row Grave
C 10 17

Immediate family

Members
Oscar E. Downing (father)
Florence M. (Pettengill) Downing (mother)
Alfred O. Downing (brother)
Kenneth E. Downing (brother)
William A. Downing (brother)
Frank H. Downing (brother)
Florence M. Downing (sister)
George E. Downing (brother)
Marion C. Downing (sister)
Claire Y. (L’Heureux) Downing (wife)

More information

Pfc Gerald D. Downing was employed at the Logan Motor Company before he enlisted at Fort Myer, Virginia on 23 November 1943.
He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross posthumously for his actions on 29 September 1944.
He was killed by artillery shell fragments.
He was first buried at the Temporary American Military Cemetery in Andilly, France.

Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Alicia H. Nerad, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov – WWII Enlistment Record, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men / My Downing Family File / U.S. WWII Hospital Admission Card Files, After Action Report 35th Infantry Division, www.findagrave.com - Coleman
Photo source: www.ancestry.com – Alicia H. Nerad