Dec. 7, 1941, was a devastating day for the U.S. when more than 2,400 Americans were killed in a surprise attack at the U.S. Naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

Retired U.S. Navy Lt. James Downing may not be a native West Virginian, but the oldest living survivor of Pearl Harbor at 101 years old is now officially part of the West Virginia family after being honored by the West Virginia University Alumni Association’s Rocky Mountain Chapter.

Downing served his country as a postmaster aboard the USS West Virginia. After the attack began, he memorized as many names of the injured and dead aboard the ship as well as in the medical unit as he could, so he could write to their families and explain what had happened to them.

Members of the Rocky Mountain Chapter went above and beyond the standard chapter’s purpose by honoring Downing, not only a hero for West Virginia, but the U.S. as well. Chapter President Bill Gray and other members helped plan the ceremony to honor the distinguished veteran.

“As not only the oldest living survivor of Pearl Harbor but the USS West Virginia, too, Lt. Downing was a Mountaineer before most of us were and deserves recognition for his service to our country,” Gray said.

During the recognition ceremony members of the chapter presented Downing with a letter from Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., an American flag, framed photos of the mast and bell of the USS West Virginia on the WVU campus, and a Mountaineer Ambassador certificate from the WVU Alumni Association. Retired U.S. Air Force Maj. Tim Stephens (‘87) and U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Brandon McGuire (‘06, ‘14) presented the flag and letter to Downing.

“The Alumni Association and Sen. Joe Manchin were so fantastic in helping pull the event together. With any other state or University you wouldn’t get support like that,” Gray added.

Today, the USS West Virginia’s iconic mast and bell call Olgebay Plaza on WVU’s campus home. The ship sank after being hit by seven torpedoes and two bombs, entombing 105 crew members. Once the ship was decommissioned from the war, efforts paid off to have its mast transported to the WVU campus where it was mounted in May 1963. The Navy entrusted the USS West Virginia’s bell to WVU in 1967 on condition that the Navy would receive annual reports on it and that it be displayed with dignity and maintained in good physical condition. Today WVU uses the bell to honor students who have passed away, as well as for an annual Pearl Harbor ceremony.

The Rocky Mountain Chapter plans to continue to grow and give back to WVU and West Virginia more in the future. Founded in 1997, the chapter has grown quickly in the past 15 years.

“It’s all about making sure that West Virginia and WVU are represented and have a presence here in Colorado,” Gray said. “We try to bring together alumni to stay in touch with the University and to give back to our local community and WVU.”

The chapter hosts a multitude of activities to bring alumni of all ages together like game watches and an annual Abasin Beach Party, and they also attend Rockies and Colorado Rapid games. They focus on recruiting prospective WVU students in Colorado, fundraising events to give back to WVU and offering a Rocky Mountain Chapter scholarship for students from Colorado attending WVU.

“The passion and commitment shown by the Rocky Mountain Chapter, not only to WVU but to West Virginia, is a shining example of what the Mountaineer spirit is truly about,” said Stephen L. Douglas, president and CEO, WVU Alumni Association.

-WVU-

hjf and tec/11/24/14

CONTACT: Tara Curtis, WVU Alumni Association
304-293-0972, tecurtis@mail.wvu.edu

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