PFC Michael Raymond McDowell, age 20, was born on Saturday,  October 4, 1924, and honorably gave his life in service to his country on Monday, July 29, 1944. 

PFC Michael Raymond McDowell was the son of Russell & Katherine McDowell and the brother of Russell “Dick” Wells.

McDowell entered the U.S. Army from Kentucky and served in Company B, 1st Battalion, 5307th Composite Unit (Provisional), known as “Merrill’s Marauders,” in the China-Burma-India Theater. On May 17, 1944, the 5307th Composite Unit, along with elements of the Chinese 42nd and 150th Infantry Regiments of the X Force, began an assault on a Japanese-held airfield at Myitkyina, Burma. Although the airfield was quickly captured, Japanese forces reinforced the nearby town, and Allied troops became engaged in a prolonged battle to seize the city. Over the following months, Merrill’s Marauders fought a series of difficult engagements against Japanese forces while also enduring monsoon rains, disease, and dwindling supplies. On July 29, 1944, during the Battle of Myitkyina, McDowell was killed in action, but the exact circumstances of his loss are unknown. PFC Michael Raymond McDowell is survived by his third cousin, Judy Clark & her husband, Richard.

Visitation will be from 9:00 AM until 10:00 AM, Wednesday, July 29, 2026 at Chism Family Funeral Home, Vine Grove, KY.

Eighty-two years after his untimely demise during World War II, his remains will be properly laid to rest with full military honors at 10:30 AM, Wednesday, July 29, 2026 at the Kentucky Veterans Cemetery Central, Radcliff, Kentucky.