World War II Honoree

Ralph L. Downing

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Hammond, Indiana

Honored By

Jack Hilbrich

Relationship

Friend

ENLISTED AT AGE 14 AND TRAINED AS A BROWNING AUTOMATIC RIFLE (BAR) MAN AT CAMP PENDLETON, CALIFORNIA. WAS ASSIGNED TO THE INFANTRY AND READY IN LANDING CRAFT INFANTRY, IN PREPARATION FOR THE INVASION OF THE MAINLAND OF JAPAN, IN THE EVENT THE ATOM BOMBINGS OF HIROSHIMA AND NAGASAKI DID NOT BRING ABOUT THE END OF THE WAR. HE RETURNED HOME AFTER DISCHARGE AND FINISHED HIGH SCHOOL.