Thomas George Downs was born on October 16, 1919 in Pottawattamie, Iowa. He was the son of Thomas Lee Downs and Mary Isabelle Pardee Downs. He was a graduate of Underwood high school, In 1942, he enlisted in the Air Force, received his wings at Marfa, Texas on May 20, 1943, and went overseas in January 1944, with the 9th Air Force.
A Co-pilot of the C-47 #43-15655, he was killed together with his crew, in a "forced landing mid-air collision" with C-47 #42-100630. All aboard the C-47 #42-100630 survived but #43-15655 were all killed in a crash. 1LT Downs is buried now in the Downsville Cemetery, Pottawattamie County, Iowa, USA.
Crew of C-47 #43-15655:
Marshall H. Pittman - Pilot
Thomas G. Downs - Co-Pilot
William J. Burns - Crew Chief
Fritz P. Hranvolich - Radio Operator
Source of information: www.findagrave.com, www.americanairmuseum.com