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Victor Allen Lewis was born in Sommerville, Massachusetts to Mr. and Mrs. Murray Lewis of 245 Allen Street, Randolph, Massachusetts on 2 August 1919. He graduated
from Stetson High School in Randolph, and attended Springfield College, where he was active in athletics, including varsity track and gymnastics. He also coached track, swimming,
tennis, and gymnastics. He enlisted in the United States Navy Reserve as a Seaman second class at Squantum Naval Reserve Aviation Base, Boston, Massachusetts 17 February 1941. In
April 1941, he was transferred to Naval Air Station, Jacksonville, Florida where he accepted an appointment as Aviation Cadet. He did advanced flight training at Jacksonville and
Miami and was designated Naval Aviator on 1 December 1941. He was promoted to Ensign with a date of rank of 14 October 1941. He was transferred to Naval Air Station, Norfolk, Virginia
for further training with Advanced Carrier Training Group, Atlantic Fleet. In February 1942, he was assigned to Torpedo Squadron 8 aboard the USS Hornet in the Pacific
area. Ensign Lewis was reported as missing in action on 4 June 1942 during the Battle of Midway. He was posthumously the Navy Cross and Purple Heart.
Navy Cross Citation: The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Ensign Victor Alan Lewis (NSN: 0-106252), United States
Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane of Torpedo Squadron EIGHT (VT-8), embarked from
Naval Air Station Midway during the "Air Battle of Midway," against enemy Japanese forces on 04 and 05 June 1942. In the first attack against an enemy carrier of the Japanese invasion
fleet, Ensign Lewis pressed home his attack in the face of withering fire from enemy Japanese fighters and anti-aircraft forces. Because of events attendant upon the Battle of Midway,
there can be no doubt that he gallantly gave up his life in the service of his country. His courage and utter disregard for his own personal safety were in keeping with the highest
traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country. General Orders: Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 313 (April 1943)
USS Lewis (DE 535) (1944-1946, 1952-1960) was the first ship to be named in his honor.
| Bill Gonyo
Downey, Cal.
Assoc. Researcher
Navsource |
0653513 |
170k |
16 September 1944: the Atlantic Ocean - USS Lewis (DE 535) off Boston, Mass. 11 days after her commissioning.
(U.S. Navy Photo #80-G-382875 from the United States National Archives) |
Mike Green
Port Angeles, Wash. |
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198k |
22 September 1944: the Atlantic Ocean - USS Lewis (DE 535) 60 miles east of Boston working out kinks in anticipation of her shakedown cruise to Bermuda. She''ll be
leaving on 28 September to spend a month training her new crew.
(U.S. Navy Photo #80-G-280072 from the United States National Archives) |
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22 September 1944: the Atlantic Ocean - USS Lewis (DE 535) 60 miles east of Boston headed west, wearing camouflage measure 32/22d.
(U.S. Navy Photo #80-G-280087 from the United States National Archives) |
David Buell |
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28 March 1952: Mare Island NSY - Commissioning ceremonies aboard USS Lewis (DE 535) at Mare Island. She was in conversion status at the
yard from 01 October 1951 to 09 May 1952.
(U.S. Navy photo #DE-535-12541-3-52) |
Darryl Baker
PNCM, USNR (ret.)
Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum |
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undated news clipping |
Jon & Kari Stacy |
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17 January 1956: Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, Cal. - Four destroyer escorts are in dry dock #2 at Mare Island. Back row are:
USS Ulvert M. Moore (DE 442) left and USS
William Seiverling (DE 441) right; front row are: USS Wiseman (DE 667) left
and Lewis, on right. All were in dock from 15 December 1955 to 18 January 1956 and started overhaul on 28 November 1955. Wiseman completed
overhaul on 29 February 1956, Seiverling & Moore completed on 11 February 1956 and Lewis completed on 09 March 1956.
(U.S. Navy photo #MINSY 27713-1-56) |
Darryl Baker
PNCM, USNR (ret.)
Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum |
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undated late 1950's photo |
- |
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circa 1959: USS Lewis (DE 535) underway.
(U.S. Naval Photo, from "Jane's Fighting Ships" 1960-61) |
Bob Hurst
Worksop, Nottinghamshire,
England, United Kingdom |
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circa 1959 - 1960: Lewis, USS Currier (DE 700),
USS Evans (DE 1023), and USS Wiseman
(DE 667). |
- |
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23 January 1960: The Pacific Ocean - The U.S. Navy Bathyscaphe Trieste, just before her record dive to the bottom of the Mariana Trench. The
dive, to a depth of 35,800 feet in the Challenger Deep, off Guam, was made with Lieutenant Don Walsh, USN, and Swiss scientist Jacques Piccard on board. Waves were about five to six
feet high when the two men boarded Trieste from the rubber raft seen at left. USS Lewis (DE 535) is steaming by in the background.
(U.S. Navy photo #NH 96797 from the U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command) |
Bob Hurst
Worksop, Nottinghamshire,
England, United Kingdom |
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undated ship portrait |
Mike Smolinski
Clifton, N.J.
Navsource DE/FF/LCS
Archive Manager |
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27 May 1960: Vallejo, Cal. - Decommissioning ceremonies of the USS Lewis (DE 535) at Mare Island Naval Shipyard. Note all the decommissioned
submarines in the background.
(U.S. Navy photo courtesy of the Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum) |
Darryl Baker
PNCM, USNR (ret.)
Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum |
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27 May 1960: Vallejo, Cal. - Radm. W. L. Erdman (Ret) speaks at during the decommissioning ceremonies of USS Lewis.
(U.S. Navy photo courtesy of the Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum) |
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27 May 1960: Vallejo, Cal. - The colors are lowered aboard Lewis during her decommissioning ceremonies at Mare Island.
(U.S. Navy photo courtesy of the Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum) |
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27 May 1960: Vallejo, Cal. - The official decommissioning party of the USS Lewis at Mare Island. Left to right: Radm. L. V. Honsinger
(Shipyard Commander), Radm. W. L. Erdman (Ret), and Lcdr D. L. Banks (Commanding Officer).
(U.S. Navy photo courtesy of the Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum) |
