World War II Honoree

Donald W. Downey

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Elkader, Iowa

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

RANK: PRIVATE 1ST CLASS. HE WAS INDUCTED INTO THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS MARCH 1, 1943 AND ATTENDED BOOT CAMP AT THE MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT, SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA. SERVED IN THE PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS ASSIGNED TO A-COMPANY, 1ST BATTALION, 28TH MARINES, 5TH MARINE ‘THE SPEARHEAD/FIGHTING FIFTH’ DIVISION. ON FEBRUARY 19, 1945 HE PARTICIPATED IN THE AMPHIBIOUS LANDING IN THE BATTLE OF IWO JIMA, CODE NAME: OPERATION DETACHMENT IN WHICH HE WAS KILLED AND WAS BURIED IN THE 5TH MARINE DIVISION CEMETERY ON IWO. AFTER THE CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES WITH JAPAN, HIS REMAINS ACCOMPANIED BY MILITARY ESCORT WERE RETURNED TO HIS FAMILY APRIL 22, 1948, WITH INTERMENT SATURDAY, APRIL 24, 1948 IN THE ST. JOSEPH’S CATHOLIC CHURCH CEMETERY, ELKADER, IOWA.