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name
LEWIS, Jerry Howard - Date of
birth
3 May 1912 -
Age
32 -
Place of birth
Coleman, Coleman County, Texas -
Hometown
Borden County, Texas -
Ethnicity
White
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-452629 -
Rank
Captain -
Function
Company Commander -
Unit
38th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron (Mechanized),
F Company
-
Awards
Distinguished Service Cross,
Silver Star,
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
7 March 1945 - Place of
death
Althenar, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Henri-Chapelle
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| A | 9 | 24 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Jeremiah A. Lewis (father)
Carrie E. (Dyer) Lewis (mother)
Bertha M. Lewis (sister)
Mary E. Lewis (sister)
Martha B. (Abbington) Lewis (wife)
More information
Capt Jerry H. Lewis enlisted in Salt Lake City, Utah on 17 March 1941.He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross posthumously. The citation cited: For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with the 38th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron, in action against enemy forces on 7 March 1945. Capatain Lewis' intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty at the cost of his life, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
Captain Lewis charged the top of a cliff, firing as he advanced, and was seen to take cover, reload his M-1 rifle and move out toward an enemy machine gun and bazooka position scarcely 50 yards away. He was halfway to the nest when an explosive missle, aimed directly at him, burst at his feet and he fell to the ground. Later, when the cliff was secured, he was found dead on the spot he had fallen.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov - WWII Enlistment Record, www.ancestry.com - Ward/Watson Family Tree, After Action Report 38th Cavalry Reconnaissace Squadron, www.newspapers.com - Abilene Reporter News
Photo source: www.findagrave.com - Des Philippet, www.newspapers.com - Abilene Reporter News, Glenn Greene