Oscar M. Downar

1924 - 2017

Oscar, of Stagecoach, passed away on May 18, 2017. Oscar was 93.

Oscar served in the 1st Air Cargo Resupply Squadron of the Combat Cargo Command of the 10th U.S. Army Air Force in China-Burma-India (C.B.I.) from 1943-1945.

A true war American hero, Oscar flew the C-47 loaded with supplies into China during World War II. Oscar also flew the P-38, DC-2 DC-3, and the C-54. Oscar was a member of the Chennault’s Flying Tigers and later the Merrill Raiders. For his efforts, Oscar was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Asian Pacific Medal with three battle stars, the Good Conduct Medal, the Victory Medal and the American Campaign Medal.

At the conclusion of the Asian campaign, he returned to Baltimore, Maryland, where he was employed by Crown, Cork and Seal Company and later by the Glenn L. Martin Company as a mechanical engineer.

In 1963, the Kellogg Company transferred him and his young family from Maryland to Battle Creek, Michigan. During his Kellogg Company employment, he served as their representative of a program with Junior Achievement, plus as Scout Master of Troop 41 (Saint Joseph Catholic Parish), he received the Order of the Arrow.

He was also a member of the American Legion Post 298, the Battle Creek Engineers Club, the Lakeside Kiwanis Club, and the Knights of Columbus, 4th Degree prior to relocating to Stagecoach.

A funeral and Honor Guard service will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 31, at St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Community.