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James Larry Downs
Private First Class
C CO, 1ST BN, 12TH CAVALRY, 1ST CAV DIV, USARV Army of the United States Toney, Alabama September 30, 1949 to March 07, 1970 JAMES L DOWNS is on the Wall at Panel W13, Line 91 |
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While operating on a platoon-size operation, our platoon set up for the night. Jim was a member of the squad; he had not been in-country very long. Maybe a little more than a month. Our squad was sent out on patrol. We all knew the enemy was close by, we could feel them and hear them. All of a sudden we heard all hell break loose. Our platoon had come under attack. We worked our way back to our platoon and formed a line with everyone else. The firefight was intense. We called in air support and artillery support. We almost ran out of ammo and had to be resupplied during the firefight. Jim was assisting the M60 gunner, feeding the ammo for him during the firefight. I remember someone yelling for a medic. Jim was hit. The Doc tried to help him but in vain. I watched Jim pray as he lie dying. This man died a hero and let no one ever forget it. After your death, I remember hearing your mother kept writing our company wanting to know more. I never forgot that. Jim, it took 32 years to locate your Mother and meet your three sisters. I hope I gave her some peace. She is a very remarkable woman.
From a fellow squad member, |
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