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First Name: Robert

Last Name: Downs

Birthplace: USA

Gender: Male

Branch: Army (1784 - present)



Home of Record: Philadelphia, PA
Middle Name: C.



Date of Birth:

Date of Death: 20 October 1944

Rank: Second Lieutenant

Years Served:
Robert C. Downs

   
Engagements:
•  World War II (1941 - 1945)

Biography:

Robert C. Downs
Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army

On 14 October 1944, Second Lieutenant Robert C. Downs was serving with the 43rd Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron, 3rd Cavalry Group, Third U.S. Army in the European Theater of Operations.

On that day, 2LT Downs’ unit was in action against German forces while on a 7-week river watch along the Moselle River reporting details of the progress of the German’s historic retreat across the river into Germany. Shortly after 2LT Downs’ unit occupied strategic positions, plans were made to send night patrols across the river to determine enemy strength and disposition. After a careful study of the river, 2LT Downs’ concluded that the river bank was held in force only during the hours of darkness. He believed that the bulk of the German force withdrew to high ground about 1,200 yards back from the river and only kept scattered sentries on the exposed forward slope during daylight hours. On the basis of that belief, 2LT Downs requested permission to take a small daylight patrol across the river. When permission was granted, 2LT Downs organized a patrol consisting of himself and another man, and covered by fire by other members of his platoon. 2LT Downs was only able to reach the opposite shore unmolested due to the audacity and unexpectedness of the crossing and the off-guard, lax German forces. Upon landing, he carried out his patrol mission among the Germans, noting their numbers and location. While engaged in this reconnaissance, the patrol encountered a German force of undetermined strength and killed or wounded one enemy soldier. In the ensuing fight, the other member of the patrol was stunned or wounded by an enemy grenade and he was able to extricate himself. 2LT Downs returned alone to the river bank using a German trench as cover. Reaching the river bank, he found his rubber boat damaged by a snag and sinking. After calling to his covering force to protect his crossing, he swam the river with his full load of equipment. His report provided higher command with valuable information on enemy positions and strength and, of particular importance, the methods of defense employed by the enemy during daylight hours. 2LT Downs’ courageous actions and extraordinary heroism exhibited by his voluntary daylight crossing of the river in the face of a strong enemy force that day earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

It is generally believed that 2LT Downs was the first American to lead a combat patrol into Germany during World War II. 2LT Downs was Killed in Action on 20 October 1944.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Silver Star Medal
Purple Heart
American Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 3 Bronze Stars
World War II Victory Medal

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Second Lieutenant (Cavalry) Robert C. Downs (ASN: 0-1032752), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with the 43d Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron, in action against enemy forces on 14 October 1944 in Germany. Shortly after Lieutenant Downs' unit occupied strategic positions, plans were made to send night patrols across the river to determine enemy strength and disposition. After a careful study of the river, this officer concluded that the river bank was held in force only during the hours of darkness. Lieutenant Downs requested permission to take a small daylight patrol across the river, basing his request on his belief that the bulk of the German force withdrew to high ground about 1,200 yards back from the river and maintained only scattered sentries on the exposed forward slope during daylight hours. Lieutenant Downs organized a patrol consisting of himself and another man, and covered by fire by other members of his platoon, Lieutenant Downs was able to reach the opposite shore unmolested only because of the audacity and unexpectedness of the crossing and the off guard and lax German forces. After landing, he carried out his patrol mission among the hostile enemy, noting their extent and location. While engaged in this reconnaissance, the patrol encountered a German force of undetermined strength and killed or wounded one enemy soldier. In the ensuing fight, the other member of the patrol was stunned or wounded by an enemy grenade and he was able to extricate himself. Lieutenant Downs returned alone to the river bank utilizing a German trench for that purpose. Upon reaching the river bank, he found his rubber boat damaged by a snag and in a sinking condition. After calling to his covering force to protect his crossing, he swam the river, returning with his full equipment. His report gave valuable information on enemy positions and strength and of particular importance, the methods of defense employed by the enemy during the daylight hours. This voluntary daylight crossing of the river in the face of a strong enemy force to what seemed like certain death or capture, is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service. Second Lieutenant Downs' intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty at the cost of his life, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

General Orders: Headquarters, Third U.S. Army, General Orders No. 98 (1944)

Burial

Second Lieutenant Robert C. Downs is buried at the Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial in Saint-Avold, Departement de la Moselle, Lorraine, France in Plot C, Row 27, Grave 63.

https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=56654540



Honoree ID: 107621   Created by: MHOH

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