Private Willis H. Downs, a soldier in the U.S. Army, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry on May 13, 1899 in San Miguel de Mayumo, Luzon, Philippine Islands during the Philippine Insurrection. At the time he was serving with Company H, 1st North Dakota Volunteer Infantry. Downs was 28 years old.
7 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on February 16, 1906, 6 years after the action. He later rose to the rank of Wagoneer.
Downs was born on June 1, 1870 in Mount Carmel, New Haven County, Connecticut. His Medal of Honor is credited to Jamestown, Stutsman County, North Dakota. Downs died on September 15, 1929, at the age of 59. He is buried at Highland Home Cemetery in Jamestown, North Dakota.
Downs is one of 82 Medal of Honor recipients from the Philippine Insurrection and one of 19 credited to North Dakota.
Official Medal of Honor citation
With 11 other scouts, without waiting for the supporting battalion to aid them or to get into a position to do so, charged over a distance of about 150 yards and completely routed about 300 of the enemy who were in line and in a position that could only be carried by a frontal attack.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Timeline
- June 1, 1870Born in Mount Carmel, New Haven County, Connecticut
- May 13, 1899Act of valor — San Miguel de Mayumo, Luzon, Philippine IslandsAge 28. Company H, 1st North Dakota Volunteer Infantry
- February 16, 1906Medal of Honor presented
- September 15, 1929DiedAge 59.
- Resting placeHighland Home CemeteryJamestown, North Dakota
