World War II Honoree
World War II Veteran
Robert L. Dowding
Branch of Service
U.S. Army Air Force
Hometown
Seward, Nebraska
Honored By
Richard E. Manzer
ENLISTED IN THE ARMY IN 1940 AND WENT TO WORK THE NEXT DAY AT THE OMAHA, NEBRASKA RECRUITING OFFICE AS A FILE CLERK. AFTER 6 MONTHS, HE ASKED FOR A TRANSFER TO THE ARMY AIR FORCES. HE WAS ASSIGNED TO THE 5TH AIR BASE GROUP AND ARRIVED ON THE ISLAND OF MINDANAO IN THE PHILIPPINES ON DECEMBER 1, 1941. HE AND THE OTHER NEW ARRIVALS IMMEDIATELY WENT TO WORK CLEARING A COW PASTURE AND BUILDING AN AIRSTRIP. THE MEN ARRIVED WITH LITTLE OR NO EQUIPMENT, THERE WAS HARDLY A GUN FOR EACH MAN. THE SITUATION RAPIDLY DETERIORATED FOLLOWING THE SNEAK ATTACK UPON PEARL HARBOR ON DECEMBER 7, 1941. THE BOYS KNEW THAT NO MORE SHIPS WOULD BE COMING WITH SUPPLIES OR MEN.