Butte VA clinic renamed for World War II veteran, Pearl Harbor survivor
The Montana VA Healthcare System renamed Butte's clinic to the Charlie Dowd VA Clinic in honor of a local veteran who survived the attack on Pearl Harbor. (Courtesy Photo)
Ahead of the Memorial Day Weekend, dozens gathered in Butte for a ceremony renaming the city's Veterans Affairs Clinic to honor Montana's last survivor of the attack on Pearl Harbor.
The Montana VA Heath Care System renamed the clinic to the Charlie Dowd Veteran Affairs Clinic, honoring Dowd, a World War II veteran who was awarded seven bronze stars throughout his military career, and died in March 2023 in Butte at the age of 99.
'We are honored to be able to rename this clinic after a local Veteran like Charlie,' Montana VA Executive Director, Duane Gill said in a press release. 'At 17 years of age, this proud Sailor ran out to defend Pearl Harbor in only a t-shirt and trousers. It is that fighting spirit that we will recognize. That same fighting spirit is in the hearts of every Montana Veteran. In some small way by renaming this clinic, we hope to memorialize the honor, commitment and courage for every Veteran who walks through those doors.'
U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke and U.S. Montana Sen. Steve Daines introduced companion bills to rename the Butte clinic, which was signed into law in July 2024.
'Montana is home to nearly 100,000 veterans. As the proud son of a United States Marine, I think it's safe to say each one of our veterans has his or her own story,' Daines said in his remarks at the renaming ceremony on Friday. 'And each one is a hero is his or her own right.'
Dowd joined the U.S. Navy in 1941, when he was 17 years old, and was assigned to a station in Pearl Harbor.
According to Daines' remarks, 'Charlie did not hesitate when we were attacked and ran straight toward danger to defend his country.'
'Wearing just a t-shirt and trousers, Charlie sprinted to the armory, climbed to the roof with a Springfield rifle, and fired at the torpedo bombers. During the attack he suffered burns on his arms and neck when the USS California, which was nearby, was engulfed in flames,' Daines said. 'His bravery in that moment is both astonishing and inspiring. He had the Montana fighting spirit.'
According to the Montana VA, the Butte clinic opened in 2022 and is four times larger than its former location in Anaconda. More than 1,750 veterans receive care at the clinic each year from Silver Bow, Deer Lodge, Beaverhead, Madison and Jefferson Counties.
Following his military service, Dowd settled down in the Butte area and was an active member of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association, a member of the Anaconda Sportsmen's Club, and worked as an outdoor writer for the Anaconda Leader newspaper.
'I had the privilege of visiting with Charlie many times over the years, and I'll never forget listening to him share stories from Pearl Harbor and the South Pacific. Even at 99, he could still fit into his uniform and tap out Morse code like he did in the service. The 'Charlie Dowd Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic' will serve as a lasting reminder of Devil Dog Dowd's legacy of bravery and lifelong commitment to his country, his fellow veterans, and his community,' said Zinke, in a press release.
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