View source for JOHN G. DOWNING, LT, USN

{{KeyDates|name_class=John Downing '35|DoB=August 20, 1913|DoD=November 13, 1942|Age=29}}

{{LuckyBag|LBLink=https://archive.org/details/luckybag1935unse|class=1935
|picture=1935 Downing LB.jpg
|LBName=JOHN GREGORY DOWNING
|LBHometown=St. Paul, Minnesota
|LBNickname="Jack" "Swede"
|LBText=FIFTEEN minutes of study a day will bring a 2.5 in any college, but at times Jack struggles a bit the last month, and has been known to concentrate for a whole hour. Although women seldom worry him while around the Academy, he is a regular terror among the weaker sex on leave. Sleep—he loves it! Jack is always ready to turn in  any time or any place. During spare moments, he boned business books and expounded his conceptions of the faults of modem business methods in every available bull session. Jack's sights are set high. Swede is ready at all times to help a friend. Although perpetually broke in terms of actual cash, his credit is good and he is generous even to the point of borrowing to stake a friend.
|LBECAs=''Class Lacrosse 4. 1 P.O.''}}

== Loss ==
John was lost when [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Barton_(DD-599) USS Barton (DD 599)] was sunk during the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naval_Battle_of_Guadalcanal Naval Battle of Guadalcanal] on November 13, 1942. The wartime service of <span class='smallcaps'>Barton</span> and her officers and crew are detailed in [http://destroyerhistory.org/assets/pdf/wilde/599barton_wilde.pdf this wonderful history].

== Other Information ==
From researcher Kathy Franz:
<blockquote>
“Jack” graduated from Central High School in St. Paul in 1931. “Happy am I; from care I’m free! Why aren’t they all contented like me?” (He didn’t have any clubs, etc., by his name.)

In December 1935, Ensign John and his brother midshipman Richard (’39) were guests of their parents Mr. and Mrs. Frederic Harding. Their mother was Herma who had married their father Robert L. Downing on February 26, 1907. Robert had died before 1920.
</blockquote>

His wife was [http://www.naval-history.net/WW2UScasaaDB-USNbyNameD.htm listed as] next of kin.

== Navy and Marine Corps Medal ==
From [https://valor.militarytimes.com/recipient.php?recipientid=309011 Hall of Valor]:
<blockquote>
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal (Posthumously) to Lieutenant John G. Downing (NSN: 0-75099), United States Navy, for heroic conduct at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy in volunteering to organize two boats from the warship to which he was attached, to remove personnel from a wrecked plane, stranded deep inshore of the edge of a reef. Fighting a high wind and imperiled by treacherous swells breaking against jagged rocks, he personally directed operations which resulted in the successful rescue of 17 officers and men without injury to either survivors of the aircraft or members of the boat crew.

General Orders: Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 316 (July 1943)<br/>
Action Date: 1942<br/>
Service: Navy<br/>
Rank: Lieutenant
</blockquote>

{{NDexplainer}}
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|column2=[[GEORGE B. NICOL, CDR, USN|ENS George Nicol '34]]
|column3=[[CLARK A. HOOD, JR., LT, USN|ENS Clark Hood, Jr. '35]]}}
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|others={{NDcolumns|columns=3|column1=[[BURTON L. DOGGETT, LCDR, USN|LT Burton Doggett '24]]<br />[[DOUGLAS E. SMITH, LCDR, USN|LT Douglas Smith '25]]
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{{ND|date=April 1936|rank=Ensign|command=USS New York
|others={{NDcolumns|columns=3|column1=[[DOUGLAS E. SMITH, LCDR, USN|LT Douglas Smith '25]]
|column2=[[GEORGE B. NICOL, CDR, USN|ENS George Nicol '34]]
|column3=[[CLARK A. HOOD, JR., LT, USN|ENS Clark Hood, Jr. '35]]}}
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|column2=}}}}
{{ND|date=July 1936|rank=Ensign|command=USS Pruitt}}
{{ND|date=January 1937|rank=Ensign|command=USS Pruitt}}
{{ND|date=April 1937|rank=Ensign|command=USS Pruitt|billet=communications officer}}
{{ND|date=September 1937|rank=Ensign|command=USS Pruitt|billet=communications officer}}
{{ND|date=January 1938|rank=Ensign|command=USS Pruitt|billet=communications officer}}
{{ND|date=July 1938|rank=Lieutenant (j.g.)|command=USS Pruitt|billet=communications officer}}
{{ND|date=January 1939|rank=Lieutenant (j.g.)|command=USS Pruitt|billet=communications officer}}
{{ND|date=October 1939|rank=Lieutenant (j.g.)|command=USS Detroit}}
{{ND|date=June 1940|rank=Lieutenant (j.g.)|command=USS Detroit}}
{{ND|date=November 1940|rank=Lieutenant (j.g.)|command=USS Detroit}}
{{ND|date=April 1941|rank=Lieutenant (j.g.)|command=USS Detroit}}

{{ClassNav|PAGE_ID={{PAGEID}}|Name=John|ClassYear=1935|PreviousPersonLink=GEORGE S. FULLER, LT, USN|PreviousPersonName=George Fuller '35|NextPersonLink=ROSCOE F. DILLEN, JR., LT, USN|NextPersonName=Roscoe Dillen, Jr. '35}}

[[Category:1935|Downing]]
[[Category:USNA 3rd Company|Downing]]
[[Category:US Navy|Downing]]
[[Category:KIA|Downing]]
[[Category:WWII|Downing]]
[[Category:Pacific|Downing]]
[[Category:Naval Battle of Guadalcanal|Downing]]
[[Category:Ship|Downing]]
[[Category:USS Barton (DD 599)|Downing]]
[[Category:Navy and Marine Corps Medal|Downing]]
{{KIA|panel=JOHN GREGORY DOWNING}}