Ernest Willard Downey
Born: November 3, 1908 at Loogootee, Indiana
Home Town: Pocatello, Idaho
Navy Cross
World War II
U.S. Navy
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Ernest Willard Downey, Boatswain, U.S. Navy, for exceptional courage, presence of mind, and devotion to duty and disregard for his personal safety while serving at Vaga, in the Philippine Islands, in action against the enemy from 7 December 1941 to 25 February 1942. Boatswain Downey’s conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Navy of the United States.