Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Sergeant

    Regiment:

    4th Marine Regiment

    Action Date:

    1942

    Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 306 (September 1942)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star (Army Award) to Sergeant Carl E. Downing (MCSN: 274572), United States Marine Corps, for gallantry in action while serving with Service Company, Fourth Marine Regiment, in the Philippine Islands in 1942.

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Sergeant

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (Philippine Islands & Manchuria)

    Action Date:

    May 6, 1942 – September 1945

    NARA Database: Records of World War II Prisoners of War, created, 1942 – 1947

    Sergeant Carl E. Downing (MCSN: 274572), United States Marine Corps, was captured by the Japanese after the fall of Corregidor, Philippine Islands, on 6 May 1942, and was held as a Prisoner of War until returned to U.S. Military control at the end of the war.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Sergeant

    Regiment:

    4th Marine Regiment

    Action Date:

    May 2, 1942

    Serial 345 (April 22, 1946)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Sergeant Carl E. Downing (MCSN: 274572), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Member of the Beach Defenses, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Corregidor, Philippine Islands, 2 May 1942. When direct hostile artillery hits on our powder magazines caused disastrous explosions and set fire to several ammunition dumps nearby, Sergeant Downing voluntarily, and without orders, made his way through the flaming debris and flying shell fragments to assist in evacuating the wounded and in extinguishing the inferno. Heroically persevering in his valiant efforts under the most chaotic conditions, he aided in bringing the fire under control and in removing valuable materials from the battery and, ignoring renewed enemy artillery and air bombardments, removed many wounded and trapped men to safety. By his resolute courage and unwavering devotion to duty, Sergeant Downing was instrumental in saving numerous lives, thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.