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.

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.