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John Jeffrey Downing (1963)
I would like to thank Steve Raikin for his great message that helped get this forum started. I was very interested in his discussion about the impact of Vietnam on our generation and the Amherst Alumni. I would like to add some additional information, that I feel is relevant to that subject. I am speaking of my lifelong friend George B. Ross Jr. an Amherst student with the class of 1963.
George did not graduate with our class, as while he attended Amherst for many years, he graduated from the George Junior Republic in Freeville, NY. While at Amherst, George was possibly catergorized as a trouble maker. Possibly may not be a strong enough description. The change of venue however, did George some good.
While at the George Junior Republic, George became the President of the Student Government and was selected to speak before the U. S. Congress. After graduating, he went to Paul Smith's College and then enlisted in the Army in October of 1965.
George, after training, volunteered for service in Vietnam with the Green Berets of the Special Forces. Later, he requested a transfer to the 1st Cavalry Div. as he desired to be an infantryman and more involved with the action. That just sounds like George. I realize now, how fortunate I was to spend quite a bit of time with him, before he shipped out to Vietnam and again when he returned on his first leave.
George, while on a combat mission, was killed by small arms fire in the An Khe Province, on March 20, 1967. He was 21 years old. He deserves to be recognized by the Amherst Alumni for his service to our Country. George is memorialized on Panel 16E Line 126 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.
Thank you, and I hope to see some old friends in June.
Jeff Downing - Class of 1963
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