Zinke Introduces Bill to Rename Butte VA Clinic to Honor Montana Pearl Harbor Hero

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - Today, Congressman Ryan Zinke introduced a bill to rename the Butte Veterans Affairs (VA) clinic in honor of Montana Pearl Harbor hero, U.S. Navy Radioman Charlie Dowd.

At just 17 years old when he fought against the attack at Pearl Harbor, rather than take cover under enemy attack, Dowd ran to the armory and took a position on the roof of a nearby building to fire some of the first American shots of the day. Wearing only his tee shirt and boxer shorts and began a counter assault against the Japanese. The attack ultimately claimed the lives of 2,403 American servicemembers, of which 14 were Montanans. Dowd ultimately served four years and 10 months in the Navy going to battle across the Pacific Theater. He earned two Bronze Stars and numerous other commendations.

After the war, he continued his service as an educator, reporter, sportsman, veterans advocate, and active member of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association.

“Radioman Dowd is a true example of a guy who loves his community and his country and lived every day to serve both. Listening to Dowd recount his experiences from Pearl Harbor and the South Pacific and watching him tap on the table to the Morse Code he sent as a radioman will always be one of my most meaningful visits and lasting memories,” Zinke said. “Renaming the clinic after this American Hero will serve as a reminder of the life of service and commitment to patriotism Charlie Dowd lived that we can all look up to.”

After Dowd’s passing in March 2023, Zinke honored Dowd in the Congressional Record. Read the issue here.

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