SP4 Jerry W. Downs, 21, U.S. Army, born in Indiana May 3, 1945, was killed in action on September 19, 1966. Downs was a Light Weapons Infantryman with 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, 196th Light Infantry Brigade in the Vietnam War. Upon returning from a four-day search & destroy mission, he was tasked with guarding an airstrip. While clearing brush from the perimeter, VC troops ambushed his unit. The enemy was quickly defeated, but Downs was mortally wounded in the fight. For his service, he earned a Purple Heart. Rest easy, Hero! Til Valhalla, Brother!