James Burton Downing was assigned to the 584th Bomb Squadron of the 394th Bomb Group (Medium) in the 9th Air Force of the USAAF, which flew B-26 Marauders over Europe. They were stationed in England, with the 585th Bombardment Squadron of the 394th Bombardment Group, first based at RAF Boreham (USAAF Station AAF-161).

On July 18, 1944, the mission in which James took part targeted the Demouville Defended Area just east of Caen. It was regarded as one of the most significant bombing operations of the war, conducted in support of Field Marshal Montgomery, whose forces were stalled and unable to advance. In a full-scale effort, all 9th Air Force Bomb Groups were deployed to strike the target.

SSgt Downing was Killed in Action on July 18, 1944, in France. He is now buried in the Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial, Coton, South Cambridgeshire District, Cambridgeshire, England.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, weremember.abmc.gov