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Navy Federal Credit Union

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Brigadier General Michael P. Downs (MCSN: 0-81727), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Commanding General, Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, from June 1990 through July 1992. Responsible for providing a wide range of Base operational support to a community of over 128,000 military and civilian personnel, Brigadier General Downs planned and executed numerous innovative programs that greatly enhanced the already outstanding support capabilities of Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune. As a direct result of his unparalleled professional leadership, Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune provided superlative administrative, logistic, training and deployment, and family support to the Fleet Marine Force (FMF) units deployed from Camp Lejeune to Southwest Asia during Operations DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM. Despite severe reductions in Base personnel and funding support, an unprecedented level of Base support was provided and all deployment time frames were met while every significant aspect of Base operations was dramatically enhanced and expanded to support the largest deployment in Camp Lejeune’s history. Brigadier General Downs’ exceptional performance materially contributed to the success of the FMF units. By his dynamic direction, professional ability, and inspiring devotion to duty, Brigadier General Downs reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Captain

    Batallion:

    2d Battalion

    Regiment:

    5th Marines

    Division:

    1st Marine Division (Rein.), FMF

    Action Date:

    February 3 – 7, 1968

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Michael P. Downs (MCSN: 0-81727), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Commanding Officer of Company F, Second Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the night of 3 February 1968, while participating in Operation HUE CITY in Thua Thien Province, Captain Downs’ unit was moving through the city’s streets when the lead element came under intense enemy sniper fire, halting the Marines. Reacting instantly, he moved forward to the area of heaviest contact to assess the situation and was wounded when an enemy B-40 rocket round exploded near his position. Disregarding his injury and intense pain, he steadfastly refused medical aid and continued to maneuver his company against the enemy. The following afternoon, his men were assaulting the enemy-held Treasury Building and came under a heavy volume of North Vietnamese fire, including mortars, B-40 rockets, 75-mm. recoilless rifle fire and satchel charges from well-entrenched positions inside and around the building. Realizing the importance of continuing the momentum of the attack, Captain Downs unhesitatingly left the comparative safety of his position and fearlessly moved through the intense fire, aggressively maneuvering his men and directing their fire until they subsequently overran the fortification. On 7 February, while continuing through the city, the Second Platoon was temporarily pinned down by heavy fire. Accompanied by his radioman, Captain Downs proceeded to the besieged unit where his companion was mortally wounded. Retrieving the radio, Captain Downs fearlessly exposed himself to the enemy fire to direct 81-mm. mortar fire against the hostile emplacements while simultaneously maneuvering his beleaguered platoon to defeat the hostile force. By his inspiring leadership, dauntless courage and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of extreme peril, Captain Downs contributed significantly to the accomplishment of his unit’s mission and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.