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Personal info

Full name
LEWIS, Ivan C
Date of birth
15 November 1921
Age
21
Place of birth
Tower City, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania
Hometown
Tower City, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania

Military service

Service number
7021090
Rank
Staff Sergeant
Function
Tail Gunner
Unit
335th Bombardment Squadron,
95th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster,
Air Medal

Death

Status
Missing in Action
Date of death
26 July 1943
Place of death
Bremen, west of the River Elbe, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
Walls of the Missing

Immediate family

Members
Charles A. Lewis (father)
Elizabeth E. Lewis (mother)
Elva R. Lewis (sister)

Plane data

Serial number
42-3264
Data
Type: B-17F
Nickname: Angel of Destruction
Destination: Hannover, Germany
Mission: Bombing of rubber factories
MACR: 193

More information

Sgt Lewis was reported critically wounded at Hickam Field, Hawaii, on 7 December 1941. His wounds consisted of shrapnel and bullets and he was a patient in a hospital for ten months. He was awarded the Purple Heart Medal a first time for these wounds. Due to the confusion after the treacherous raid by the Japanese, his parents were notified that he had been killed in action, but a second telegram stated he was wounded.

After his recovery, Sgt Lewis remained at Hickam Field until May 1942.

The airplane was shot down by enemy aircraft and flak, which knocked out two engines. The entire crew of ten men was killed.

Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Terry Hirsch, Raf Dyckmans, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.newspapers.com - Mount Carmet Item, www.ancestry.com - Veteran Compensation Application File / 1930 Census

Photo source: Peter Schouteten, Michel Beckers, www.findagrave.com - Patootie