Army Pilot Killed in World War II Finally Buried in Oklahoma, Next to Brother

AP ^ | May 28, 2004

[nuconvert]

WWII, Pong

[Leisler]

"Lewis is buried next to his brother, Ted Lewis, who died Sept. 30, 1944, in a bomber crash near Walla Walla, Wash."

Over 20,000 air-crewmen were killed just in training during WWII.

[nuconvert]

Wow....that's incredible.

[Criminal Number 18F]

Pinging a few other gravity cheaters. To me it is always amazing that men went to war in sleek Mustangs, stately Flying Forts, and treacherous Marauders, with maybe 200 hours total time. Exercise for the reader: call any aviation insurance broker, tell them you have 200 hours total time, all in Stearmans and T-6s, and just bought a P-51, and what will your insurance rates be? (Tip: pick a broker in known good cardiac health).

On a more serious notw, this family gave a lot to the conquest of Fascism -- and of the air. Two sons/brothers. No wonder Saving Private Ryan struck a chord with the surviving sister.

d.o.l.

Criminal Number 18F

[Ranger]

Note Sept 11 and then Sept 30, 1944 for each brother.

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

I can almost hear the musical accompaniment:

Day is done,
gone the sun,
From the hills,
from the lake,
From the skies.

All is well,
safely rest,
God is nigh.

Go to sleep,
peaceful sleep,
May the soldier
or sailor,
God keep.

On the land
or the deep,
Safe in sleep.

Love, good night,
Must thou go,
When the day,
And the night
Need thee so?

All is well.
Speedeth all
To their rest.

Fades the light;
And afar
Goeth day,
And the stars
Shineth bright,

Fare thee well;
Day has gone,
Night is on.

Thanks and praise,
For our days,
'Neath the sun,
Neath the stars,

'Neath the sky,
As we go,
This we know,
God is nigh.

[VOA]

"About 78,000 soldiers are still missing in action from World War II, and about 30
bodies are found, identified and brought home each year."

Like I've said before...WWII is the war that will never end. At least in print/film.

[nuconvert]

Thanks for pointing that out. I hadn't noticed. What a tragedy for their family.

[VOA]

...tell them you have 200 hours total time, all in Stearmans and T-6s, and just
bought a P-51, and what will your insurance rates be?

The incidents section over at www.mustangsmustangs.com has convinced me that
I'll probably wait to take that ride in the Mustang two-seater at Planes of Fame
in Chino, CA...
when I get some sort of terminal diagnosis.

I'm sure the Planes of Fame operation is safe...but lots of those lovely warbirds
have plenty of risks.

[WorkingClassFilth]

Nice article for the Memorial weekend. I'm going to Ft. Snelling National Cemetary for the holiday's ceremony and will fly, at home, a vintage WWII 48-star flag for this hero's return home.

[WorkingClassFilth]

My father flew in PBM's in the Black Cat Squadrons. After the war, he a couple mates bought a Stearman and flew that for quite a few years for kicks. Courted my Mama in it, too (can't imagine any hanky-panky in the double cockpits). Wish he still had it...

[nuconvert]

Thanx

[SAMWolf]

A German naturalist, Adelbert Wolf, found Lewis' wreckage and buried what remains he could find in a field near Oberhof. Wolf marked the grave with a cross and tended it for decades.

There are some amazing people in the world.

[nuconvert]

Yeah.....amazing.

[SAMWolf]

2nd Lt. William M. Lewis
Welcome Home

[nuconvert]

Have a nice Memorial Day

[snippy_about_it]

Thanks for the ping Sam. Good story.

[Rockpile]

William M. Lewis, Jr. was in the 38th Fighter Squadron of the 55th Fighter Group.

He's listed on the Missing tablets at the Luxembourg American Cemetery.

[El Gato]

No wonder Saving Private Ryan struck a chord with the surviving sister.

Not a sister, but the daughter of the brother recently reburied.