World War II Honoree

William Edward Downey

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

La Crosse, Wisconsin

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Corporal. Inducted into the United States Marine Corps January 1, 1942 and received his Basic Combat Infantry Training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California. Served in the Pacific Theater of operations and experienced combat as a Rifleman assigned to Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, a subordinate unit of the Third Marine ‘the Fighting Third’ Division. He participated in the amphibious assault on the Volcanic Island of Iwo Jima (Battle Dates: February 19-March 26, 1945), Code Name: Operation Detachment. Killed in action Tuesday, February 27, 1945 and buried in the Third Marine Division battlefield cemetery on Iwo. After the cessation of hostilities with Japan, his remains were returned to his family, with interment in the Catholic Cemetery in La Crosse, Wisconsin. This Marine, an American Patriot, so gallantly gave his life for his country.