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Lieutenant Colonel William C. Downer, USA, of Gig Harbor, WA, died July 19, 2011. He was born in New York City, NY on May 25, 1969 and began his military service when he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Infantry in August 1991 from The Citadel. Lieutenant Colonel Downer¹s military education consists of the Infantry Officer Basic Course, the Ordnance Branch Qualification Course, Naval School Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD), Combined Logistics Officer Advance Course, Army Combined Arms Service Staff School and the Army Command and General Staff College. Lieutenant Colonel Downer¹s previous assignments include Rifle Platoon Leader, Company Executive Officer, and Support Platoon Leader, 1-503d IN, 2nd Infantry Division; Operations Officer and later Commander, 54th Ordnance Detachment (EOD) and 754th Ordnance Company (EOD); Senior Observe Controller-Trainer, 2-360th IN; Secretary Joint Staff, United States Support Group Haiti, OPERATION UPHOLD DEMOCRACY; PACOM and CENTCOM Plans and Operations Officer, Special Operations Support Command (ABN); Logistics Officer, CJSOTF-Philippines, 1st Special Forces Group (ABN), OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM; Logistics Officer/Deputy J4, CJSOTF-West, 5th Special Forces Group (ABN), OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM; Corps Ammunition Officer, 1st Corps Support Command (ABN); Senior Liaison Officer to Multi National Corps Iraq (MNC-I), 1st Corps Support Command (ABN), OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM; Support Operations Officer, 264th Corps Support Battalion (ABN); Executive Officer, 192nd Ordnance Battalion (EOD), and Joint Task Force Troy Baghdad, OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM, and Commander, TF Renegades supporting the British EOD Joint Task Group (OPERATION CHARGE OF THE KNIGHTS), Basrah, Iraq; and Commander, Task Force Troy South (3 EOD BN), USD-S, 1st Infantry Division, Iraq, OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM and OPERATION NEW DAWN. Lieutenant Colonel Downer¹s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star medal (two Oak Leaf Clusters), Meritorious Service Medal (three Oak Leaf Clusters), Joint Service Commendation Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Commendation Medal (three Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Achievement Medal (two Oak Leaf Clusters), Iraqi Campaign Medal (five Campaign Stars), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, NATO Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Award (with Oak Leaf Cluster), Philippine Presidential Unit Citation, Superior Unit Award, Expert Infantry Badge, Master Explosive Ordnance Disposal Badge, Ranger Tab, Basic Parachutist Badge, and the Parachutist Badge from the countries of Thailand, Jordan, United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain. Lieutenant Colonel Downer is survived by his wife Suzanne Downer, and his parents William and Marguerite Downer.
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Lou Schwartz (G Company)
I was shocked and sadden to read this horrible news. As we prepare for our 20th reunion I couldn't believe my eyes when I say Bill Downer's name in the memorial section.
I want to pass on my personal thanks to his serve to our country and for his family during this tragic time.
I remember when we were cadets. I didn't know Bill well, other than we where both Army contract guys and in the same BN. I was walking through the parking lot and happen to see him moving something around in the trunk of his car...it turned out to be a military rifle "I think". I said wow what the heck is that thing doing there....He said it was for hunting.... I laughed...I guess he was always destined to be a warrior.
I will be thinking of your example to us all in your home away from home; The Citadel in a few weeks.
Lou Schwartz, G Company LTC, USA retired