World War II Honoree

Merl A. Downs, Sr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Honored By

Mr. Merl A Downs, Jr.

Relationship

Son

SERVED IN COMPANY A, 701ST TANK DESTROYER BATTALION. PARTICIPATED IN THE BATTLES AND CAMPAIGNS OF TUNISIA, NAPLES-FOGGIA, ROME-ARNO. HE LANDED IN NORTH AFRICA IN NOVEMBER 1942 AS PART OF OPERATION TORCH. HE FOUGHT AT KASSERINE PASS, THE BATTLE FOR MONTE CASSINO, THE ALLIED LANDINGS AT ANZIO AS PART OF OPERATION SHINGLE. HE WAS PART OF THE FORCES THAT TOOK ROME ON JUNE 4, 1944. AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART (GO 1 HEADQUARTERS 1ST AD44, JANUARY 5, 1944), EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN SERVICE RIBBON, 3 BRONZE STARS AND THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL. SERVED FROM JUNE 11, 1942 THROUGH MAY 20, 1945.