By Shane Goodman | Times Vedette
Mike Downing was named the American Legion Post 124 Legionnaire of the Year at the American Legion Chili and Oyster Stew Dinner Tuesday, Nov. 11 at the American Legion Hall.
Downing was not able to attend the event and personally accept the award, but he offered a letter to be read, noting that he has been a Legion member for 56 years.
“My brother, Dean, bought my membership when I came back from overseas the second time in December of 1969 for a Christmas present,” he shared.
Downing served in the Air Force for four years from January 1967 though January 1971. He was an air crew egress systems specialist and worked on ejection seats in B52 bombers and other aircraft.
He noted how he did not stay in one place a long time.
“I started in Lackland, San Antonio, Texas, then to Chanute AFB in Rantoul, Illinois. Then to Ellsworth AFB, Rapid City, South Dakota. That was first year, then went temporary duty to U-Tapao, Thailand, for six months. Went back to Ellsworth, South Dakota, then got orders to go to Udorn, Thailand, for a year PCS (Permanent Change of Station), but first went to George AFB Victorville, California, for three months to cross train to F4 phantoms.”
He then went to Udorn, Thailand, and was put in DET 1 SOW (Special Operation Wing), a part of Air America working on old prop trainers, T28s.
“These were used by us, and we trained Laotians to fly. These were old planes, so we installed all seats and explosives so they would have ejection seats. In the meantime, I went down to Nakhon Phanom, Thailand, to work on A1Es, another old prop airplane. These planes were used to bomb and attack on Ho Chi Minh Trail. They could go down low and slow and had power to pull up and drop bombs in side of hills and also fire into the hills. They were around 1,500 to 2,000 horsepower. Needless to say, many never made it back.
Downing said he went back to Udorn, Thailand, for the rest of his tour.
“I got to see a lot of places and met a lot of people,” he stated.
In year four, he went to Bergstrom AFB, Austin, Texas, and worked on RF4C phantoms. He also had two temporary duties to Cannon AFB in Clovis, New Mexico. He was discharged Jan. 15, 1971, as a staff sergeant.
“I am proud of my service to this great country but was glad to be a civilian again,” Downing said. “I want to thank the Legion Post for the Honorary Life Member award that they gave me last year. I really appreciate it. Again, thank you for the honor to be chosen Legionnaire of the Year.”