World War II Honoree

Thomas George Downey

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Boston, Massachusetts

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Private 1st Class. Inducted into the United States Marine Corps January 22, 1942 and received his Basic Combat Infantry Training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California. Served in the Pacific Theater and experienced combat with the 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine ‘The Fighting Fifth’ Division. Participated in the assault on the Volcanic Island of Iwo Jima (Battle Dates: February 19-March 26, 1945), Code Name: Operation Detachment. Friday March 2, 1945 he was killed in action and buried in the Fifth Marine Division battlefield cemetery on Iwo. After the cessation of hostilities with Japan, his remains were transferred to Honolulu, with interment in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, ‘Punchbowl’ Hawaii. Decoration and Citation: Purple Heart. This American Patriot was awarded the Purple Heart, who so gallantly gave his life for his country.