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name
DOWNING, Thomas James Joseph - Date of
birth
11 March 1922 -
Age
22 - Place of
birth
Brooklyn, Kings County, New York -
Hometown
Washington, District of Columbia
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
32806806 -
Rank
Corporal -
Function
Assistant Squad Leader -
Unit
60th Engineer Combat Battalion,
35th Infantry Division
-
Awards
Silver Star,
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Died of Wounds - Date of
death
13 September 1944 - Place of
death
Near Flavigny-sur-Moselle, France
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Lorraine
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| C | 26 | 30 |
Immediate family
-
Members
David L. Downing (father)
Anna K. Downing (mother)
Anna Downing (sister)
David L. Downing (brother)
Helen C. Downing (sister)
More information
Cpl Thomas J. J. Downing attended college for one year and was employed at the Mr C Doerr Railroad Retirement Bld before he enlisted in New York City, New York on 15 February 1943.He was killed by artillery shell fragments in his small intestine.
He was first buried at the Temporary American Military Cemetery in Andilly, France.
He was awarded the Silver Star Medal posthumously. The citation cited: When his unit was forced to withdraw across a bridge from which it was then removing enemy demolition charges, Cpl Downing discovered that part of his squad, of which he was assistant squad leader, remained on the hostile shore. With complete disregard for personal safety, and despite the intense concentrations of enemy fire upon the bridge, Cpl Downing crossed the bridge to the enemy shore and led his squad back to safety, although while he was engaged, he was mortally wounded.
He is remembered on a memorial at Flavigny Bridge.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, 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 / Martelli Family Tree / U.S. WWII Hospital Admission Card Files, After Action Report 35th Infantry Division
Photo source: www.findagrave.com – Andy / Eric Jawurek