World War II Honoree

Burns Price Downey

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Chicago, Illinois

Honored By

The Downey Family

Relationship

Son

SERVED IN THE U.S. ARMY AIR FORCE FROM DECEMBER 8, 1941 TO JUNE 29, 1945. HE PARTICIPATED IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC, CENTRAL PACIFIC AND NEW GUINEA CAMPAIGNS. ON JANUARY 7, 1944, HE WAS CO-PILOT ON A MISSION IN WHICH A WATER LANDING OCCURRED ABOUT A HUNDRED YARDS OFF THE COAST OF SARIMA ISLAND, NEAR THE SOUTHEASTERN END OF CHOISEUL. ALL ELEVEN CREW MEMBERS SURVIVED THE CRASH. AFTER INFLATING FIVE LIFE RAFTS, THE CREW MADE IT TO SHORE WHERE THEY SET UP CAMP ON A SANDY BEACH. THEY WERE RESCUED ON JANUARY 8. HE RECOVERED FROM HIS HEAD INJURIES HE RECEIVED IN THE CRASH AND CONTINUED TO SERVE UNTIL HIS HONORABLE DISCHARGE AS CAPTAIN ON JUNE 29, 1945.