I have been doing my research since 1976 when I saw a Medal of Honor for Audie Murphy at a museum in Tennessee. I had one I thought was exactly like it so thus began my research. My medal turned out to be a medal from the GAR (Grand Army of the Republic) given to my grandfather Downard for his 3-1/2 years of service to the Union Army during the Civil War. But my interest was piqued and with the acquisition of a computer and the internet, research became my hobby. I have traveled quite a bit doing research in other states as well.

I have been doing my research since 1976 when I saw a Medal of Honor for Audie Murphy at a museum in Tennessee. I had one I thought was exactly like it so thus began my research. My medal turned out to be a medal from the GAR (Grand Army of the Republic) given to my grandfather Downard for his 3-1/2 years of service to the Union Army during the Civil War. But my interest was piqued and with the acquisition of a computer and the internet, research became my hobby. I have traveled quite a bit doing research in other states as well.