Willie Dowling, Jr. was born on March 6, 1947. He was one of nine children born to Willie Sr. and Elizabeth Dowling. His home of record is Trenton, NJ. Willie graduated from Trenton High School in 1965. He liked playing baseball and basketball.
Willie enlisted in the US Army shortly after he graduated from high school. He served with Company C, 3rd Battalion, 39th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division at Fort Riley, KS. He attained the rank of Specialist (SP4).
Dowling was killed in action on March 11, 1967. He was awarded the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star w/V Device and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry.
Dowling is buried in the Veteran’s section of Greenwood Cemetery in Trenton, NJ.
Willie Dowling Jr. was the first son of Willie and Elizabeth Dowling. Junior, as we called him, was born March 6, 1947. He volunteered for service in the Army of the United States in 1966, shortly after he graduated in 1965, from Trenton Central High School in Trenton, NJ. Junior was killed in action in Vietnam on March 11, 1967, five days after his 20th birthday.
My memories of my brother span my entire lifetime because I am the second born son. We attended McClellan Elementary School, and then went on to Junior High School #1. Junior was tops in his classes and was a very good basketball and baseball player. He played after school, and on weekends you could find him in the schoolyard.
But the special thing I remember about Junior, is that he was the best big brother anyone could ever ask for and I tell you this because I knew him all of my life. I am now 56 years old. It’s been 37 years since he passed and I still remember things about him as if it were just yesterday, that’s how special he was to me. He loved all of us and we loved him dearly.
Written by Reggie Dowling, Brother
Junior was a wonderful son. He never gave me one minute of trouble. He loved to play basketball with the children in the neighborhood when he was young.
Written by Elizabeth Dowling, Mother
Sources: Reggie Dowling (brother), Elizabeth Dowling (mother) and NJVVMF.
12/17/2024
