World War II Honoree
World War II Veteran
William V. Downes
Branch of Service
U.S. Navy
Hometown
Willimantic, Connecticut
Honored By
Mr. James F. Bugbee
Relationship
Nephew
LANDED AT OMAHA BEACH ON D-DAY. ALTHOUGH WOUNDED TWICE, HE REMAINED WITH HIS NAVAL COMBAT DEMOLITION UNIT, WHICH RECEIVED ONE OF ONLY THREE PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATIONS AWARDED TO THE NAVY FOR THE NORMANDY LANDINGS. SUBSEQUENTLY, HE SERVED IN THE PACIFIC THEATRE.