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==Army career==

==Army career==

Downer joined the United States Army Reserve as an enlisted man in 1968. He obtained a commission in 1971 as a [[Second Lieutenant]] in the [[U.S. Army Corps of Engineers]]. He then joined the Louisiana National Guard as a [[First Lieutenant]] of the [[Judge Advocate General Corps]]. In time, Downer became a Lieutenant Colonel,  Brigadier General, and a [[Major General]]

Downer joined the United States Army Reserve as an enlisted man in 1968. He obtained a commission in 1971 as a second lieutenant in the [[U. S. Army Corps of Engineers]]. He then joined the Louisiana National Guard as a first lieutenant of the [[Judge Advocate General Corps]]. In time, Downer became a [[Lieutenant Colonel]],  Brigadier General, and a [[Major General]]

 

He served in [[Operation Desert Storm]] from October 1990 to May 1991. Downer has won more than a dozen military awards, including the [[Bronze Star]], the Legion of Merit, and the [[Kuwait]] Liberation Medal.<ref name="ng"/>

He served in [[Operation Desert Storm]] from October 1990 to May 1991. Downer has won more than a dozen military awards, including the [[Bronze Star]], the Legion of Merit, and the [[Kuwait]] Liberation Medal.<ref name="ng"/>