Willis H. Downs was a United States Army

United States Army

The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...

 private

Private (rank)

A Private is a soldier of the lowest military rank .In modern military parlance, 'Private' is shortened to 'Pte' in the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries and to 'Pvt.' in the United States.Notably both Sir Fitzroy MacLean and Enoch Powell are examples of, rare, rapid career...

 who earned the Medal of Honor

Medal of Honor

The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...

 during the Philippine–American War. He later obtained the rank of Wagoner. Wagoner Downs is buried in the Highland Home Cemetery in Jamestown, North Dakota

Jamestown, North Dakota

As of the census of 2000, there were 15,527 people, 6,505 households, and 3,798 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,246.7 per square mile . There were 6,970 housing units at an average density of 559.6 per square mile...

. He was one of twelve members of Young's Scouts

Young's Scouts

Young's Scouts was a select group of United States Army soldiers during the Philippine-American War organized under a Vermont civilian named William H. Young. Because of his previous experience as a soldier and soldier of fortune and his demonstrated coolness under fire, Young came to the notice of...

 awarded the Medal of Honor between 13 and May 16, 1899.

He is buried in Highland Home Cemetery, Jamestown, North Dakota

Jamestown, North Dakota

As of the census of 2000, there were 15,527 people, 6,505 households, and 3,798 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,246.7 per square mile . There were 6,970 housing units at an average density of 559.6 per square mile...

. Downs is erroneously identified as having a birthdate of June 1870; this is incorrect, as evidenced by North Dakota Census documents, his obituary, and his headstone.

Medal of Honor citation

Organization: Private, Company H, 1st North Dakota Volunteer Infantry. Place and Date: At San Miguel de Mayumo, Luzon

Luzon

Luzon is the largest island in the Philippines. It is located in the northernmost region of the archipelago, and is also the name for one of the three primary island groups in the country centered on the Island of Luzon...

, Philippine Islands

Philippines

The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...

, May 13, 1899. Entered Service At: Jamestown, N. Dak. Birth: Mount Carmel, Conn. Date of Issue: February 16, 1906.

Citation:

With 11 other scouts, without waiting for the supporting battalion

Battalion

A battalion is a military unit of around 300–1,200 soldiers usually consisting of between two and seven companies and typically commanded by either a Lieutenant Colonel or a Colonel...

 to aid them or to get into a position to do so, charged over a distance of about 150 yards and completely routed about 300 of the enemy who were in line and in a position that could only be carried by a frontal attack.

See also

• List of Medal of Honor recipients
• List of Philippine–American War Medal of Honor recipients