THE GENERAL

James K. Allen, Washington DC — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 20:42:01 GMT

I got the chills reading that. Heartwarming and vivid.

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Sara, Omaha, NE — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 22:42:58 GMT

A beautiful and moving tribute. People like General Downing make me proud to be an American. I know there are many more people just like him that are valiantly serving this country. My deepest appreciation of and graditude towards all our service members and their families during this difficult war.

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Randy, Fresno, CA. — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 22:49:48 GMT

What an incredible man we have lost. Brian you were truly blessed to have known him. Thank you so much for sharing your memories of this great man.

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Brian McEnany — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 23:10:06 GMT

Wayne was one of the good guys - He stood out as a cadet - I was his companymate and classmate - and he rose through the ranks in the Army by doing everything better than others - he was truly a soldier's general - loved by his men. "the Long Gray Line of us stretches through the years of a century told..." One more has been added to that line - he was taken from the world too soon - "May it be said - Well done - Be thou at Peace" We shall miss him greatly -

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Frank Lengyel,Ind.-OIF 1 Vet. — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 00:42:15 GMT

What a great story Brian....sorry to hear that u lost a traveling companion,teacher,protector, a friend and most of all.....a Great Warrior.

THE GENERAL

Jun Nishihara, Japan — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 04:43:09 GMT

I'll be looking forward to your potential new book "Hit me with the sweet spot, General." And in the book please remind us, again, of your credo: never trust anyone who doesn't love a dog. You certainly gave me a new perspective to look at the people around me with, and yes, I've been a strong dog-lover all my life. Rest in peace to General Downing. Thank you.

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M. Zielke — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 07:17:42 GMT

This was a heartwarming tribute to a great soldier. Duty, Honor, Country is a rare trait these days. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends. Thanks, Brian.

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Quentin Walsh, Heidelberg, germany — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 09:09:20 GMT

I heard you say on the newscast, as you wrote in the article, father of eight. I found the following facts to be enlightening also: divorced father of two, step-father to six.

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Joan Chapman, Cheshire CT — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 10:30:53 GMT

Hi Brian -

I remember when you were MIA in Iraq and how concerned Tom Brokaw appeared on air when he reported that.

I was a military wife during the Korean war and my first son was born at an Air Force hospital.

Thank you so very much for writing in such detail about General Downing. As usual you have combined fine writing with information in telling us about him and his life story.

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SFC Paul B. Davis, Baltimore, Maryland — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 12:32:12 GMT

The nation and the Army have lost a leader in the truest meaning of the word.

In this day of Generals and high level field grade officers who seem to have forgotten that they are soldiers first and the values espoused by our Army of loyalty and personal courage being foremost; it is indeed a great loss to the line soldiers and officers who fight this nations wars.

GEN Downing was an exceptional leader who expected much from his soldiers but was willing to provide them with his loyalty and time tested leadership - a leader of soldiers.

He was not a politician as so many are these days. The soldiers of this nation yern for the kind of professional leadership example this "Soldier's General" provided both in the Army and afterword as the most knowledgable analyst for miltary affairs.

I feel privledged to have served in this great Army as he did and will say a prayer these evening for his family , loved ones and most of all for his soldiers that they may yet discover another leader of his caliber in our ranks.

Enough of the political leaders at the top - give us a real soldier like General Downing to lead the way!

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Olivia, Peoria, Ill. — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 12:35:02 GMT

What a moving, eloquent tribute to a true American hero! Thanks for sharing your memories.

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Mike P. Orlando, FL — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 12:49:57 GMT

RIP General Downing. You were a true warrior and a great leader. We would follow you on any mission. You had our trust and loyalty and you are the epitome of a soldier and a leader. It was an honor and privilege to have had you as a commander.

My condolences to the Downing family.

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Gregory D. Boyd, Major, USMC (Ret.), Hilliard, OH — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 13:33:54 GMT

He was what a General should be. He knew how to do it all - the politics, strategy, tactics important to mission accomplishment at all levels in the military. That was always the key phrase - mission accomplishment. He rose because he got it done - always, everything. He endured the staff tours only to return to his first love - command. In our time together we often talked of family, and our wonder at how any woman could put up with guys like us. We knew we were on borrowed time and lived every day as if it were his last. He loved his family and troops and they loved him - it just doesn't get any better than that.

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Patricia Vento — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 13:34:38 GMT

Dearest Brian: When I was reading your memorys and sharing some of your times with him, tears came - my son was killed in Iraq in 2005 and there is a space where anyone can put their memorys about those that have died in Iraq - they too bring tears to my eyes because those individuals truly knew my son and how much it means to me to see that - I always knew he was special - but too see how he put himself out there for them to know him too -

When your friend died you writing about your loss was obvious, as those are for my son.

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Patricia Vento — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 13:35:57 GMT

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Sergeant Major Donald R. Bruce Retired bavaro beach Dominican Republic — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 14:50:35 GMT

Brian it was awesome to see you and General Downing during the war, I served with him during his first tour of duty in the special ops world. He was a young major in the 1st Ranger Bn 75th inf he was our operations officer (S-3)I was a platoon sergeant and one of four that was also a green beret. He planned our training and always selected me as the jump master of what we would call the circus bird the lead aircraft in all jumps with the Bn comander and staff to include himself. I was young, but he new how to bring out the best in you and give you confidence in yourself to do things that would truly be beyond beleif. His pormotion party to LTC was across the street in the woods with a couple of kegs of beer for the nco's and what ever officers showed up. He then became our executive officer of the Bn. and we had a special bond in Dec 1977 I left the Bn to go back to a special forces assigment, he called me to his office to personnel thak me for my 3 consecutive tours in the rangers. He said then he would see me in special ops because he really respected the dedication of the NCO's. He was a officer that Nco's could allways talk to, and get things done. we that wore stripes, really had a respect for him that could not be understood by those who did not serve I could right chapters of stories but I will end with a short special ops saying. You have never lived ,till you have almost died, and for those who have fought for freedom, freedom has a certain flavor the protected will never know

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T. J. Gallanis, Moorpark, Ca. — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 16:29:10 GMT

SFC Paul B. Davies. Thank you...Thank you!!!...Very well said.

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Ephraim Fermin, Alexandria, VA — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 16:41:59 GMT

I got teary-eyed reading this tribute. We have lost a true officer and a gentleman, in every sense of the word. Soldiers like Gen. Downing embodied the highest ideals of West Point, and the American society. I am proud to live in a country that has borne great individuals like Gen. Downing. May he rest in peace.

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LTC Charles Shaw, USA Ret., Sanford, FL — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 17:44:41 GMT

Brian,

On behalf of Wayne's classmates from the great West Point Class of 1962, thanks so much for your very thoughtful tribute. I had the good fortune of not only being in the same West Point class as Wayne, but also the same cadet company. I last saw Wayne in April, when we were at West Point for another classmate's funeral. We had lunch together, and Wayne mentioned you and how much he valued the relationship you had together. True to character, he chose not to share news of his illness with me. I know his reason was not because he considered it a private matter, but because he didn't want to burden me with his problems. We were in email contact last week, and he was looking forward to our class reunion this September.

We will all miss him greatly, and we thank you for honoring him in this way.

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Linda Cawley, Boise, Idaho — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 17:55:06 GMT

What a wonderful tribute to your dear friend. I'm sure the General would be proud and I'm sure his family appreciates your tribute.

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NadiNetfx — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 17:57:44 GMT

I watched him every time he was on the TV...

Now this was a REAL SOLDIER! Not many of them are left

He exuded compassion and honesty..not a common trait for a Military Man!
GODSPEED!

motherearthgruppen

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Ben Lakey, Austin, Texas — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 18:17:40 GMT

Well, I for one can say General Downing was a great Officer, as I knew him before the stars came. I met this great man in Bamberg, Germany (1982) and worked for him as is Material Readiness Officer (1st AD)when took command as the 3rd Brigade Commander. He will be missed.

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Lynn, Olympia, WA — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 18:36:23 GMT

Brian,
What wonderful memories you have of your time spent with General Downing, a good and decent man and a great leader - thank you for sharing them.

Thanks to you and men like General Downing who put yourselves in harm's way to bring us the realities of war.

General Downing was a true hero in that he truly loved the men and women in his command and he spoke truth to leaders, even when it was not what they wanted to hear -- if only we could replicate him a thousand times over!

My deepest sympathies go to his family, friends, and to this country, as we have lost a special, unique voice in these times of trouble.

Godspeed Good General, Godspeed -- you have done us all proud and we will miss you!

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Jim Bellah, Newberg, OR — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 21:23:20 GMT

I gotta admit, until now I've thought of you as just another journalist. But that tribute skyrocketed my admiration for you. I've never read one written better or more from the heart. Thanks for recognizing such a wonderful man like General Downing.

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Bruce, Parkland , WA — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 23:08:12 GMT

Thank you for sharing your memories of another great American service member. It sounds like you got a taste for what all military service members love and cherish about their service. The brotherhood and the bond that will never be broken with those that you served. RIP peace General Downing.

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Steve Mattoon, Casper, WY — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 23:29:00 GMT

Brian;
General Downing was a lifelong mentor, commander, and friend for forty plus years, Thank you for the writing abilities to make everyone understand what a great American Warrior he trily was, we will miss him always until we see him again when we cross the river, thank you again.

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John Mader, Clarksville, Indiana — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 23:34:46 GMT

I turned command of Company A, 2d battalion 14th Infantry over to Wayne in November, 1968. It was his last company command in combat. I have always seen something ironic that he commanded Delta Force and, when his Rangers were under fire in Mogadishu (sic), that it was the Golden Dragons of the 2/14 Infantry who came to the rescue (after tussling with the French who blocked them).

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Jim FitzGerald, Waco, TX. — Sat, 21 Jul 2007 01:24:28 GMT

I never met a better man, nor a better soldier!
Wayne Downing, you are now in God's Army and I'll wager you will take charge and do a wonderful job there also.

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Chad Kirby — Sat, 21 Jul 2007 02:34:52 GMT

This sucks out loud!! He was my Regimental Commander when I was in the 3/75th Rangers in the mid 80's. Never a rah rah guy. But you knew who the man was!! Damn.
Nice piece, Mr Williams.

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D. Swisher, Peoria, IL — Sat, 21 Jul 2007 04:14:31 GMT

That was a moving tribute to General Downing but once again NBC has gotten the facts wrong. General Downing had 2 daughters, Elizabeth and Laura. They are his only children. The other 6 are his stepchildren from his third marriage. They all were adults at the time of his marriage and did not need to be potty trained. The NY Times and Washington Post were able to report this correctly. As the network he worked for, it is unfortunate that you are not able to do the same.

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Peter, Colorado — Sat, 21 Jul 2007 04:26:56 GMT

Amen!

If only we could share the stories and moments of the thousands of soldiers who have followed this Warrior down the trail to fiddlers green.

They have all given so much and received too little.

We owe them,and the General, more.

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Ruth, San Diego, Ca — Sat, 21 Jul 2007 05:38:39 GMT

If the truth were told, most of our soldiers, airmen, sailors, and marines are honorable, brave and tenacious like General Downing. They look up to their leaders who have set the bar high. I am thankful that this man set the bar high for soldiers like my son Dan to follow and emulate. I so wish that politians had the same honor and commitment that our fighting men and women have.

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April Gill, Jacksonville, Florida — Sat, 21 Jul 2007 13:11:22 GMT

Thank you for sharing this story about the General with us Brian. America needs to hear more stories like this!

The General would be proud of you and I am sure he very much appreciated your friendship.

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John Hansen, San Jose, CA — Sat, 21 Jul 2007 14:49:46 GMT

Hats Off to Brian Williams for a wonderful tribute to a great Soldier we never knew.

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Allison Wiggins, San Antonio, Texas — Sat, 21 Jul 2007 17:45:40 GMT

Brian: What a thoughtful tribute to Wayne Downing. I hope you, or someone, will pen a book about his life. It would be a wonderful read. Many of the emails are about Wayne as a soldier. I knew him in Austin, Texas in the 90's when his sister Becky, was dying of cancer and I was her hospice volunteer. Becky was only in her 30's and Wayne was juggling the Gulf War and Panama. He called me from helicopters all over the place to check on her as the end approached. His mother, Eileen, was the person I spent the most time with as Becky came closer to death. When I felt the end was near, I called Wayne and he picked up my call in the Gulf somewhere. I told him the death might be soon and he said he would be back quickly. Later that day she died, and I called again and was patched through to him. When he heard my voice, he said "she's gone, isn't she? A feeling just came over me." So, I knew the big brother who came straight to Austin and stayed with his mother and other relatives for the funeral. I spent some time with him and accompanied he and his mother to the funeral. My experience was solely the family man and strong arm for his mother who was crushed by her daughter's death. Wayne expressed great gratitude to hospice and to me for being the constant companion to his family at the end. He was very kind to me and always grateful. His mother and I have stayed in touch over the years. I just wanted to tell you this little story-it's so different from the military side of Wayne Downing. A true family man as you said in your tribute. Please honor his memory with an in depth book.

Regards,

Allison and Robert Wiggins, M.D.
San Antonio, Texas

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AL RYAN, PORT TOWNSEND, WASHINGTON — Sat, 21 Jul 2007 18:00:05 GMT

THANK YOU TO HIS FAMILY--FOR THE LOVE,DEVOTION,& INSPIRATIONS AND THE SHARING OF TIME HE SPENT WITH US

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ROZ PIROLLI PHILA. PA. — Sat, 21 Jul 2007 18:43:11 GMT

HOW INSPIRING TO READ YOUR ARTICLE, TO A MAN WHO YOU OBVIOUSLY LOVED AND ADMIRED. SO FEW OF US TAKE THE TIME TO EXPRESS OUR LOSS FOR SOMEONE SO IRREPLACABLE AS THIS WONDERFUL MAN. GEN. DOWNING. THANKS BRIAN

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Allison Wiggins, San Antonio, Texas — Sat, 21 Jul 2007 20:33:05 GMT

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Bruce Mason Winston-Salem, NC — Sun, 22 Jul 2007 01:42:11 GMT

What a fine tribute to such an outstanding man and soldier. We have indeed lost a tremendous asset in our time of need. God speed Gen. Downing you will be missed.

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remrafdn,Mayville,ND — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 00:55:03 GMT

What a man!

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frmr SSgt B. Gillespie, USAF, Knoxville, TN — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 02:56:04 GMT

Truly an american hero. Brian I hope you will try to turn your busy camera to the other heroes that are still living and fighting in Iraq, Afganistan, and other parts of the world. The General would want that more than the glowing words for himself. Thank you for a wonderful tribute to one of America's best.

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Dutch Holland — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 02:13:04 GMT

I served in Bravo Company 1/503d Infantry 173d Airborne Brigade with General Downing but at that time he was a young junior officer fresh from West Point.We ran across each other many years later at a 173d reunion and became very good friends who corresponded often.My last meeting with him was a couple of years ago at West Point where he teased me about inviting me to some other formal occasions that would require my wearing a suite which he knew I don't like.Now I will be again wearing a suite and going back to West Point to show my respect him.He will surely be missed not only because he was a great military officer but also because he was an officer who cared so much for those serving with him.I've heard him give several speeches yet never once heard him speak of himself instead he always spoke of those he served with.A truly honorable man who I'll miss greatly.

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K. Fritts, Eau Claire, WI — Sun, 02 Sep 2007 04:38:06 GMT

What an amazing tribute and what a truly spectacular man. The experiences that you shared w/the General were some of the most intensely emotional that I've ever read, or felt. If only more men could be as strong and generous as General Downing. We need more role models today. You've been a very honored person to have shared such special time w/such a man. I envy you. Condolences to his family and friends.

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Eric, Norfolk, VA — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 19:37:12 GMT

I served under GEN Downing's command at Fort Bragg. After I was injured in a skydiving accident and awaiting discharge from Womack Army Hospital, I was standing in line on a Saturday morning waiting to get a pian prescription filled. There were about twenty of us in line at the one window that was open. GEN Downing came in wearing the uniform of a two-star general to get a prescription filled and approached me to see how I was doing. After we chatted for a moment, he headed up to the front of the line. Many of the folks in line thought he was going to pull the senior officer card and get his prescription filled without waiting in line--they didn't know Wayne Downing. He stuck his head in the window and quietly asked the pharmacy techs who were inside to plesae open another window so the people in line could get taken care of properly. When they did, he refused their offer to take care of his prescription and instead walked to the back of the line and waited...behind PFC's and NCO's...

An that was GEN Downing. I would--and did--follow that man anywhere, and his leadership and professionalism were a national treasure. God bless you, Wayne Downing, and may God continue to watch out for our troops the way GEN Downing always did.

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Jerry Janicke, Albuquerque, NM — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 21:35:09 GMT

I am Wayne's classmate. The West Point class of "1962" has as it's matto-"62 can do". I believe Wayne accepted every challenge with the expectation that the mission would be successfully accomplished. Wayne, job well done! Thank you Brian for telling Wayne's story.

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Fred Dover — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 00:18:32 GMT

You are all sniveling shit stains, Downing-syndrome sycophants. He was no friend of special ops. He was your typical megalomaniac self-lover who got 18 of us killed in Somalia--again over his own self love. Sad, but true. I'm sorry if he was your classmate or Ranger buddy or homo-hero, he will likely burn in hell for being the self-aggrandizing shit stain he obviously was. How do you not understand that? I have two fists and feet that would love to educate you retards in combative terms. email me please, if you pussies have the essential guts, which I know you don't. Dead men won't get you promoted again assholes. Grow a pair and get on with it, or send me your contact info so I can come smoke your pathetic ass. FD

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Robert Eskridge, Mascoutah, Illinois — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 00:10:47 GMT

What is the web site or address of the letters from the WWI veteran (mentioned by Brian Williams on the 5:30 pm news on 8 Feb 08. I want to read these letters but haven't been able to locate them.

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Eric Leaf, Lakewood, CO — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 17:51:17 GMT

To General Downing, all the past, present and future service men and women and to Brian Williams. Thank you for your gallant service to this country and this world. Your honor, dedication and sacrifice are truly appreciated by many and will never be forgotten. If you enjoy your freedom next time you see a solder or their family thank them for you will never know how much they have given for your freedom.

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Frank Campanaro, Florida — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 02:19:14 GMT

Brian,

Nice tribute and thank you very much for your dedication to accurately cover the war in ethical and factual context as well as learning all you did from Gen Downing and passing that on to others.

It was my great honor to have served under the man and to have been sent to combat by him and although I was a young SOF trooper at the time, I can honestly say he had the most respect of anyone in uniform and that he truly was a soldier's soldier...treating newbee E-1 Ranger's with the resepect of seasoned Company Commanders...he simply loved all military professionals!

However, I am upset with Fred Dover and feel his email is less than professional and truly lacking military bearing...and completely out of line with regard to resepcting the family of General Downing during a time of grievance...also I dont recall Fred's involvement with TFR, although I could be wrong, yet I sure would like to link up with him to discuss his pathetic email above!

Fred, I find it amazing you would actually threaten to physically fight anyone on this email thread who supports the WAD...sounds like you either a wannabe, a failure or need negative attention because you cant get positive attention because of your low self esteem...sounds like you are the sniveler, afterall!

If indeed you were one of us, then its amazing how you ever made it through considering that you should understand what it takes to make the teams, as well as the risks associated and although unfortunate that we have loss in battle, blaming the SOCOM CMDR is fruitless and nobody I know from Bco 3/75, my old company, feels the way you do and like many others, I too lost many close and personal Ranger brothers in that conflict, as well as others and until now, you small minded comments are the first I have ever noticed lacking more respect for fallen soldiers or America's finest overall...you sound like a commie and a brat!

I think you owe the General's dedication to our country the respect he deserves as well as an apology to all those insulted by your low speed comments as well as a serious apology to his family and if you are from our community, then look up the Ranger Creed and read it and then think about your actions. Surely its tough loosing brothers and things dont always go right but crying about it and blaming others is dishonorable and shows your self pitty, ignorance and lack of integrity...sounds like you should just give up your citizenship and leave the country and go somewhere in the world where they also hate the US Military, perhaps the Red Army, and maybe you can whine all day long about your former country while sucking up to those who will give you all the attention you so desire.

RLTW GEN WAD, HOOAH!