Korean War vet Downing honored for his heroism
Milton man fought at the infamous Chosin Reservoir
BALLSTON SPA, N.Y. >> A large contingent of Korean War veterans paid tribute Tuesday to one of their fallen comrades during ceremonies at Saratoga County offices in Ballston Spa.
Army Sgt. 1st Class Jack Downing, of Milton, came under enemy heavy fire at the infamous Chosin Reservoir, fought in brutally-cold winter conditions, where he disregarded his own safety to save those around him.
For his heroism, he was awarded the Bronze Star with a “V” for valor, one of many medals he earned for his service and sacrifice.
Saratoga County Veterans Service Agency Director Frank McClement shared details of Downing’s selfless acts at Chosin Reservoir, where 30,000 United Nations forces, later referred to as the “Chosin Few,” were surrounded by over 120,000 Chinese. “Despite all odds and heavy casualties, U.S. and United Nations forces inflicted even heavier casualties on the Chinese with sheer grit and determination along with the help of the heaviest concentration of air power used in Korea,” he said.
“The battle was fought over some of the roughest terrain during some of the harshest winter weather conditions of the Korean War,” McClement said. “During the battle, temperatures plunged to lows of minus 35 degrees Fahrenheit. In the midst of the hottest days of the battle, Sgt. Downing was engaged in direct combat when they came upon an ambush along a road at Kot’o-ri.”
“Here a truck in the convoy was hit by enemy fire and blocked the road, trapping the convoy,” he said. “Sgt. Downing completely disregarded his own safety, and under heavy fire dismounted his armored vehicle, ran to the truck and drove it away from the enemy roadblock to clear the route.
“He later again exposed to
himself to enemy fire and rescued a wounded cameraman.”
“Honoring Our Deceased Veterans” ceremonies are held on the third Tuesday of each month to recognize a service member from different towns and cities throughout Saratoga County.
This month, McClement also remembered the late Bill Wicks, a past Saratoga County American Legion chaplain, who passed away on New Year’s Day.
“He was a friend, a friend to our office and a friend to many,” he said. “We will miss Chaplain Wicks.”
Representatives of local, state and federal leaders presented Downing’s family members with several awards and proclamations including a state Senate Liberty Medal, the state’s highest honor, a flag that’s flown over the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., and a citation signed by President Donald Trump.
Downing was born in Ballston Spa on Dec. 22, 1930 and worked on a farm in Galway prior to entering the service on Jan. 10, 1949.
After the war, he worked for many years at Curtis Lumber Company, retiring as construction manager.
However, his work on behalf of veterans continued as he was a charter member of the Saratoga National Cemetery Honor Guard, whose members also attended Tuesday’s ceremony, and the Korean War Veterans Association.
Downing also created a mobile Korean War monument that won numerous awards in large parades throughout the region in places such as Corinth, Troy and Pittsfield, Mass.
“Today, for his service and life’s work, we honor Jack Downing and though the Korean War is sometimes referred to as the Forgotten War, he is most certainly not forgotten here today,” McClement said.