The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class Joseph R. Downing (ASN: 6916262), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 17th Airborne Division, in action against the enemy at Limerle, Belgium, on 21 January 1945. When Private First Class Downing and another enlisted man became separated from the first patrol into Limerle, Belgium, they joined with a French paratrooper to continue clearing the town. Upon receiving information from civilians that about 30 Germans wanted to surrender, they went to take them prisoner. As they approached the Germans, the Germans took cover and opened fire on the three men, severely wounding Private First Class Downing. He immediately took cover in a nearby ditch and opened fire on the Germans, shouting to his comrades to fall back while he kept them under fire. His self-sacrifice in continuing to provide covering fire saved the life of the other enlisted man although it cost his own. His actions were in accord with the highest standards of the Airborne Forces.