His service to the nation, which was recognized by Presidents Obama and Trump, will not be forgotten. Jim Downing is honored in Colorado Springs with the naming of the Interstate 25 Cimarron Bridge after him. Jim also heroically dedicated his entire life to the advancement of the Gospel. Jim's courageous service in the Navy lasted 24 years, and included heroism at Pearl Harbor during that fateful attack in December 1941. He joined the organization in 1935, not long after joining the Navy, and remained an active member until his official retirement in 1983. Representative Doug Lamborn (CO-05) issued the following statement: 'On Tuesday a true American hero and a valued asset to our community, Jim Downing was promoted to glory. In addition to his service to the United States, Jim Downing was also a long-time member of the Navigators, an international Christian organization that works with members to help them share their faith with those around them. For the rest of his life, he helped protect the memories of Pearl Harbor, preventing them from vanishing with the passage of time. After 24 years of service, Jim Downing retired from the Navy with the rank of Lieutenant, but his service to the nation was still not over. The book is an insightful look not only into the Navy veteran’s life, but also the conditions of war in the Pacific and what it was like fighting against an enemy that refused to surrender.Īfter fighting in World War II, Downing continued his service to the United States and eventually captained the USS Patapsco (AOG-1) during the Korean War.
Written when he was 102 years old, The Other Side of Infamy earned Jim Downing a place in the Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest male author. His experiences at Pearl Harbor and throughout World War II were captured in his self-written book, The Other Side of Infamy: My Journey through Pearl Harbor and the World of War. The Other Side of Infamy, published when Downing was 102 years old Jim Downing and the Attack on Pearl Harbor 7, 1941, Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. The Colorado Springs resident is the second oldest known survivor of the Dec. In The Other Side of Infamy, youll travel with Lieutenant Jim Downing through his distinguished. Jim Downing, a Pearl Harbor attack survivor who will be 104 years old in August, will retell his story at the Base Exchange, Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado March 13, 2017.
Downing, who is 102, is back in Hawaii for the anniversary of the attack. Produced by Deluxe VR and LIFE VR, the interactive experience starts with the eerie calm before the storm as it depicts the moments leading up to the first signs of Japanese aircraft flying into the harbor. Get a front-row seat to the attack on Pearl Harbor. Its been 74 years, but Jim Downing remembers the attack on Pearl Harbor as if it were just last week. Two of five living survivors of the Pearl Harbor attack are also featured in the Denver Post article, including 94-year-old Don Stratton and 103-year-old Jim Downing, both Navy sailors stationed in Pearl Harbor at the time of the attack. The digitized look at the attack on Pearl Harbor lets viewers live through the events of Decemthrough the eyes and words of Jim Downing. Downing’s story is one that’s been told time and time again, and is even immortalized in the Pearl Harbor Virtual Reality Experience. The Colorado resident attended the Veteran’s Day event on Oklahoma to continue his personal mission to spread knowledge about Pearl Harbor and its heroes. One of Downing’s final appearances was in November of 2017. When strength allowed, the US Navy veteran attended conferences, Q&A sessions, and commemorations across the country, just for the opportunity to educate the public about the devastation and consequences of the 1941 attack. He fought fires on and survived the sinking of the USS West Virginia during Japans attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. The loss of Jim Downing is one that will be felt by many, especially those who grew used to hearing his stories over the years. At 104 years old, Downing was the second-oldest Pearl Harbor survivor, one year younger than Ray Chavez. On February 13, 2018, Downing passed away from complications that arose from a surgery he underwent in the weeks prior.