World War II Honoree
Killed In Action
Robert Franklin Downing
Branch of Service
U.S. Navy
Hometown
Edgewater, Colorado
Honored By
Orville L. Kline
Rank: Seaman Second Class. He was inducted into the United States Navy August 6, 1942 at Los Angeles, California. Following his basic Military Training at the U.S. Naval Training Station San Diego, California and along with any additional training; he was later transferred to the USS New Orleans Cruiser, CA-32 for duty. Friday, August 7, 1942 the Cruiser and her shipmates, along with an armada of U.S. Warships, Rendezvous’ off-shore of Guadalcanal; in support of the impending invasion Location: South Pacific Theater of Operations. Monday, November 30, 1942 he was reported Missing-in-Action or buried at sea; when the Cruiser was torpedoed by an Imperial Japanese Destroyer. In remembrance of the brave, his name is permanently inscribed in the tablets of the missing, memorialized at Manila American Cemetery and Memorial Location: Fort Bonifacio, Manila Philippine Islands. In his Memory, this American Patriot was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously, for his Heroism, and ultimate sacrifice. He served his Country with Pride and Honor.