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First Name: Jerry

Last Name: Lewis

Birthplace: Coleman, TX, USA

Gender: Male

Branch: Army (1784 - present)



Home of Record: NV
Middle Name: Howard



Date of Birth: 03 May 1912

Date of Death: 07 March 1945

Rank: Captain

Years Served:
Jerry Howard Lewis

   
Engagements:
•  World War II (1941 - 1945)

Biography:

Jerry Howard Lewis
Captain, U.S. Army

On 7 March 1945, Captain Jerry Howard Lewis was serving with the 38th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron (Mechanized), Company F, B Troop, 102nd Cavalry Group, First U.S. Army.

On that day, CPT Lewis’ unit was in action against German forces near Altenahr, Germany. As the unit approached Altenahr, a small force of Germans in position on top of a cliff, 30 feet above the road and blocking the only route leading into the town, was engaged. CPT Lewis was riding in his 1/4 ton vehicle and moved to the front to see if there was any way he could deploy his tanks to advantage. CPT Lewis reached the top of the cliff, firing as he advanced, and was seen to take cover, reload his M-1 rifle, and move out toward a German machine gun and bazooka position about 50 yards away. CPT Lewis was half-way to the nest when a missile, aimed directly at him, exploded at his feet and he fell to the ground. After the cliff was later secured, CPT Lewis was found dead in the spot he had fallen. CPT Lewis’ courageous actions and extraordinary heroism that day earned him, at the cost of his life, the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Medals and Awards

Distinguished Service Cross
Silver Star Medal
Purple Heart
American Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with Arrowhead Pin and 4 Bronze Stars
World War II Victory Medal

Distinguished Service Cross Citation (Synopsis)

Captain (Cavalry) Jerry H. Lewis (ASN: 0-452629), United States Army, was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) 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. Captain 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.

Headquarters, First U.S. Army, General Orders No. 58 (1945)

Burial

Captain Jerry Howard Lewis is buried at the Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery and Memorial in Henri-Chapelle, Arrondissement de Verviers, Liège, Belgium in Plot A, Row 9, Grave 24.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56283086/jerry-h-lewis



Honoree ID: 82993   Created by: MHOH

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