 |
| This painting by Keith Rocco depicts the 35th Infantry Division fighting in Normandy where both George and William Lewis were killed in battle. https://www.flickr.com/photos/thenationalguard/4100337639 https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/58909507/george-e.-lewis https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/58909436/william-r.-lewis |
George E. Lewis never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.
He was born on May 20, 1918 in Missouri. His parents Harold and Anna were also both born in Missouri and Kansas, respectively. His mother died in 1937. His father worked as a farm laborer and later as a laborer for the New Deal Work Projects Administration. George had two younger brothers and a younger sister.
He enlisted in the army (date unknown) and became a private first class in the 137th Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division (nicknamed "Santa Fe Division").
Younger brother William was drafted into the army on June 30, 1942. He became a private in the 38th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division (nicknamed "Indianhead"). It landed on Omaha Beach the day after D-Day. He was killed less than two weeks later on June 18, 1944 while his unit was fighting in the Normandy hedgerows.
The 35th ID arrived in Normandy a month after D-Day. I don't know if George was aware that his brother had been killed nearby. His unit became part of the effort to breakout of Normandy. On August 4, 1944 the 137th IR completed its advance from St. Lo to Vire. They faced lighter than expected resistance, but losses mounted regardless. The after action report for this day counted 130 casualties, including nine killed. Pvt. Lewis was one of those killed in action, just miles away from where brother William lost his life.
On March 31, 1949 their father filled out the paperwork for their headstones.
The Lewis brothers are buried at Iconium Cemetery in Iconium, Missouri.
Last year on this date I profiled Walter Kreklow, 88th Infantry Division. You can read about Walter here.
On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!
I created this video to explain why I started this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY.
Please consider joining the public Facebook group to increase the exposure of this project. Go to: WW2 Fallen 100
Their father’s name was Harry Burton “Burt” Lewis. There were four sons in the service, the third son was killed on March 25, 1945 and the remaining son in the service was sent home at the request of his father. There were two younger sons at home, one was my Uncle Sam Lewis. There were also two sisters.
ReplyDeleteDo you have photos of George and William? Would you like to see their stories included in the www.storiesbehindthestars.org project? You can reach me at don@storiesbehindthestars.org
Delete