65 Originalt lot fra falden US soldat WW2 KIA 1 Lt George Milton Lewis (1920-1944) papirer medfølger ikke

Born: March 5, 1920

KIA: November 23, 1944

26th Infantry Division

101st regiment

Enlisted: January 27, 1942

ASN: 32195995, 01303908

Enlisted At: Bronx, New York

Brother: 1st Lt Lawrence Leonard Lewis

Worked at: General Cigar Co.

Residence: Viroqua, Wisconsin

Mother: Pauline Lewis

Weight: 185 pounds

Height: 5’10”

Campaigns: Northern France, Rhineland

George Milton Lewenstein was born on March 5, 1920 in Manhattan, New York. His father (Jack Lewenstein) and mother (Pauline Lewenstein) were both Jews that immigrated here from Lithuania. Jack’s occupation listed was a jeweler. As of 1930, there were 4 family members listed: Jack, Pauline, George, and Larry (Lawrence). During the 1920’s and 1930’s, Jews were despised and discriminated against not only in foreign countries, but also here in the United States. Sometime during this period, the Lewenstein’s changed their surnames to Lewis. On November 8, 1940, Jack Lewenstein passed away and is buried at the New Montefiore Cemetery in New Babylon, New York.

On January 16, 1941, the 26th Infantry Division (Yankee Division) was inducted along with the men of the 101st Regiment. About one year later on January 27, 1942, George M. Lewis enlisted in the U.S. Army. At his time of enlistment, he weighed 185 pounds and was 5 feet 10 inches tall, and had the General Cigar Company listed as his place of employment. He was living at Viroqua, Wisconsin at his time of enlistment. While serving in the Army, George fought with the 26th Infantry Division, 101st Regiment. George would attend his training at Camp Edwards, Massachusetts and they would participate in the Carolina Maneuvers. During February of 43, the division was at full strength and would depart for the European theater around a year and a half later on August 27, 1944. On September 7, 1944, the 101st regiment arrived at Cherbourg, France and prepared for combat operations.

The combat action of the Regiment is marked by aggressiveness. From the beginning, the infantrymen of the regiment were seldom passive. Under the leadership of Col. Walter T. Scott, the 101st worked, attacked, and maneuvered with dexterity and intensity. The 26th Division relieved the 4th Armored Division on 7 October 1944, and the 101st Regiment began offensive operations on November 8, 1944. They attacked the Germans near Arracourt, and the regiment's objective was Hill 310. After a thunderous artillery barrage, the 2nd Battalion advanced on the hill and the 1st and 3rd Battalions covered the flanks by engaging Germans elsewhere. In this action, the Regiment advanced to the town of Moyenvic and captured 524 prisoners.

On the 12 November 3-101 drove off an enemy counterattack coming from Wuisse, and on November 13 the Regiment received 759 replacements. With their ranks replenished, the Regiment seized Bourgaltroff, near Marimont. On November 19, the soldiers attacked through waist deep water on a general line north and south through Bergelstroff. The 3rd battalion received the Distinguished Unit Citation for it’s actions from November 18-21, 1944.

Lieutenant George Lewis is credited with fighting in the Northern France and Rhineland campaigns. While fighting on November 23, 1944, Lt. Lewis killed in action at only 24 years old. He was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star posthumously.

One of George’s brothers, Lawrence Leonard Lewis, served in the U.S. Army Air Corps and was a 2nd Lieutenant in the 20th Airforce. He would survive the war and not pass away until February 5, 2010 at 84 years old while living in Florida. Lawrence was awarded the WW2 Victory Medal, the Air Medal with 2 oak leaf clusters (OLCs), the state of New York Conspicuous Service Cross, and a Distinguished Flying Cross.