William R. Downey II

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to William R. II Downey, First Lieutenant (Medical Corps), U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Medical Officer with the 223d Infantry Regiment, 40th Infantry Division, in action in the vicinity of the Punch Bowl, Korea on 23 December 1952. First Lieutenant Downey was the Battalion Medical Officer serving at the Battalion Aid Station. Upon receiving word that a patrol from a company was in a fire fight with the enemy, Lieutenant Downey unhesitatingly and with total disregard for his own personal safety, left the Battalion Aid Station and went to the main line of resistance. Upon arriving at the scene of the fire fight, Lieutenant Downey organized litter teams of the men in the area and personally directed and supervised the evacuation of the wounded and dead. Throughout the operation, Lieutenant Downey gave directions and shouted words of encouragement to the men. Lieutenant Downey’s undaunted courage under intense enemy small arms and mortar fire, his ability to organize and direct under adverse conditions and his quick and timely thinking was responsible for saving the lives of many of the wounded and served as a great inspiration to the entire group. Lieutenant Downey’s courage, determination and selfless devotion to duty reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.