World War II Honoree

Charles Edward Downing

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Fortville, Indiana

Honored By

Martha Roop Ryder

Relationship

Daughter

Deployed to the south Pacific with the 75th Seabees on the SS Del Brasil leaving the U.S. on 6/9/43. Arrived in New Caledonia, a French Island off the coast of New Guinea, then to Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands. Accompanied the marines in establishing a beachhead on Bougainville on 11/1/43. Moved to Russell Islands on 5/27/44 then on to Papua, New Guinea. Arrived in the Philippine Islands on 10/24/44 during the battle of Leyte gulf. Stayed in the Philippines until 8/45, then returned to the USA.