In Memory ofU.S. Army Private First Class
Edwin Spears “Pete” Dowling, Jr.
Draper, South Dakota
Jones County
May 22, 1919 – September 29, 1943
Killed in Action in Italy
Edwin Spears “Pete” Dowling was born May 22, 1919, in Draper, South Dakota, to Edwin and Clara Dowling. He was the third of five children who were born, raised, and educated in the Draper area. He had a sister, Dorothy, and three brothers: Eugene, Charles, and Louis. “Pete,” as he was called, is described as a gentleman who cared for all things and had a “deep interest in horses and anything Western.” He helped his parents out at their farm and attended school in Draper. Before he entered the service, Pete was in San Diego, California, where he was “attending a school and studying air craft design.”
Pete Dowling entered active service on February 6, 1941, at Fort Rosencrans, California. He was stationed at Ft. Lewis, Washington, Ft. Ord, California, and Camp Pickett, Virginia, as part of the 7th Infantry, 3rd Division. Pfc. Dowling was sent overseas on October 24, 1942. He then participated in engagements at Casablanca, Tunisia, Morocco, Sicily, and Italy. While at Casablanca, Pfc. Dowling won the Cluster Award “during a scrimmage to help save the British Territory from the Nazis.” While there, he was hospitalized and then rejoined his unit at Tunisia.
On September 29, 1943, Pfc. Dowling was “one of ten men who volunteered to ride a horse into Italy to see how strong the enemy was, knowing of the consequences they were up against.” In a letter he wrote to his parents, which they received after his death, Pete spoke of it as “a suicide mission” and was certain he would not return. None of the ten men returned. His parents later received these words: “It is my distressing duty to confirm the recent telegram informing you of the death of your son, Private First Class Edwin S. Dowling, Jr., 19,044,301, Infantry, who was killed in action on 29 September 1934 in Italy.”
Private First Class Edwin Spears “Pete” Dowling was buried at Plot F, Row 2, Grave 9, Sicily-Rome American Cemetery in Nettuno, Italy. He was awarded the Silver Star and the Purple Heart. In 1971 at the age of 83, Pete’s mother, Clara, made the journey to see Pete’s gravesite in Italy. Although she finally saw the “resting place of her dear son who had given his life for our country,” Clara never completely accepted her son’s death, according to family members.
This entry was respectfully submitted by Lindsey Jensen, 11th Grade, Stevens High School, Rapid City, South Dakota. Information for this entry was provided by Mrs. Karen Dowling, Draper, South Dakota, wife of Edwin’s brother’s son, by an application for a South Dakota Veteran’s bonus payment, and by the Jones County War Veterans book.
