Conditions Governing Use

Manuscript collections in the VMI Archives are made available for educational and research use. The VMI Archives should be cited as the source. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright holders. Materials from our collections may not be redistributed, published or reproduced without permission from the VMI Archives. Contact the VMI Archives for additional information.

Conditions Governing Access

There are no restrictions.

Online Access

World War I service record and documents are available online

Preferred Citation

John W. Downer collection, 1914-1966. MS 0430. VMI Archives, Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Virginia.

Biographical / Historical

John Walter Downer (1881-1977) graduated from VMI in 1902. From 1901 to 1943 he served in the United States Army and was with the American Expeditionary Force, commanding 1st and later 2nd Battalions, 6th Field Artillery in France during World War I. In 1920 he was a member of the United States Riding Team at the Seventh Olympic Games and served as an American representative on the United States Olympic Committee.

Scope and Contents

This collection (three items) consists of items related to John W. Downer, including: One cased scrapbook presented to him on his 85th birthday in November 1966. The scrapbook contains biographical information, and documents and photographs detailing his military career, including his service in France during World War I. One mounted photograph of Downer. Downer's presentation copy of the book "Report of the American Olympic Committee, Seventh Olympic Games, Antwerp, Belgium, 1920."

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Keepsakes (books)
• Olympics -- History
• Scrapbooks
• United States. -- Army. -- Field Artillery, 6th
• United States. Army—American Expeditionary Forces
• United States. Army—Officers—Biography
• Virginia Military Institute—Class of 1902
• World War, 1914-1918