General Wayne A. Downing Airport - Bartonville, IL
Posted by: Groundspeak Regular Member NorStar
N 40° 40.090 W 089° 41.410
16T E 272608 N 4505402
General Wayne A. Downing Airport, the regional airport for Poria, is named after a four-star general who grew up in the Peoria area.
Waymark Code: WMWN8D
Location: Illinois, United States
Date Posted: 09/20/2017
Published By:Groundspeak Premium Member Outspoken1
Views: 1
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In Peoria, at the General Downing Airport, is a statue of General Wayne A. Downing, who was a four-star general in the U.S. Army.

The Place:

The airport is southwest of the center of the city and just off I-474. From I-474, take the exit for Airport Road, go southwest for a short distance if exiting from the westbound lanes and turn right, or if traveling eastbound, take the exit and go straight, onto the access road to the airport - there is a sign at the corner. Continue on this road to an intersection with Maxwell Road and a statue of General Downing on the left.

The airport is the regional airport for west central Illinois. This airport has connections to locations like Chicago, Detroit, Atlanta, and St. Petersburg, FL. There are rental car facilities here, as well as a diner-like restaurant. In 2008, the terminal was rebuilt and the airport was renamed to the General Wayne A. Downing Airport. A statue of General Downing is by the entrance to the parking lot and terminal.

The Person:

General Downing lived from May 10, 1940 to July 18, 2007. He had a long career in the military, from 1962 to 1996. During his tenure, he climbed in rank, reaching the rank of four-star general. He also was awarded many medals including two Defense Distinguished service awards and a Purple Heart. After he retired, he became the National Director and Deputy National Security Advisor for combating terrorism under then National Security Advisor, Condoleezza Rice.

He is buried in Westpoint Cemetery.



There is a large display about General Downing in the terminal.

Other Source:

Wikipedia (Wayne A. Downing):
(visit link)

General Wayne A. Downing International Airport):
(visit link)


Airport Site:
(visit link)
Year it was dedicated: 10/10/2008

Location of Coordinates: Statue of General Downing at the airport

Related Web address (if available): [Web Link]

Type of place/structure you are waymarking: Airport
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