World War Ii Hero Jesse Drowley Dies

Although he received the nation’s highest award for valor in combat, Jesse Ray Drowley shied away from the title of hero.

Drowley, 76, one of Spokane’s most decorated World War II veterans, died last week and will be buried today after a morning service.

“People say, ‘What did you do to get the Medal of Honor?’ You were only doing your job,” Drowley said in a 1991 interview. “You’re fearless, all right. You’re so damned scared you’re past fearless.

“But you’re going to get killed if you don’t do anything.”

What Drowley did to earn the Medal of Honor in 1944 was carry two wounded comrades to safety during the battle of Bougainville, in the Solomon Islands. He then hopped on a tank and helped direct its fire to Japanese pillboxes that were inflicting heavy casualties on U.S. forces.

The 25-year-old sergeant lost an eye, and was shot in the head and the chest during the battle. Afterwards, he returned alone to his unit for medical treatment. At first he was threatened with court-martial by a young officer who accused him of leaving his post. Later, he was recommended for the Medal of Honor by his superiors.

He also received the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Clusters and two Bronze Stars.

Recovering from his wounds at the old Baxter General Hospital in Spokane, Drowley met his future wife, Kathleen McAvoy. He returned to Spokane from his native Michigan after the war, operated a service station on East Trent, worked for the Bonneville Power Administration and later as a civilian employee at Fairchild Air Force Base. He retired in 1980.

Drowley is survived by his wife of 52 years, two children and five grandchildren. Services are at 10 a.m. at the Hennessey-Smith Rose Chapel, 2203 N. Division. , DataTimes