Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Eugene
Thomas
Lewis
POW (WWII) KIA
1904-09-11

–

1945-01-31

Born:

Warren

, 

Texas

Home:

Ashland

, 

Mississippi

Buried: 

Manila

, 

Philippine Islands

Cemetery:

A.B.M.C. Manila

Eugene Lewis graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1928. Captured after the fall of the Philippine Islands in 1942, in 1944 he survived the sinking of the Japanese “Hell Ship” Oryoku Maru” and after being transferred to the Enoura Maru, which was bombed by American planes in Formosa. He continued on to Japan aboard the Brazil Maru, and was interned there until he became ill, and died in January 1945 at the Kobe Military Hospital.

Awards Received

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry)

    Regiment:

    43d Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    Philippine Scouts

    Action Date:

    World War II
    American Battle Monuments Commission

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Eugene Thomas Lewis (ASN: 0-17296), United States Army, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States while serving with the 43d Infantry Regiment, Philippine Scouts, during World War II.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry)

    Regiment:

    43d Infantry Regiment (Philippine Scouts)

    Action Date:

    World War II
    War Department, General Orders No. 141 (1946)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Eugene Thomas Lewis (ASN: 0-17296), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 43d Infantry Regiment (Philippine Scouts), in action against the enemy in the defense of Bataan, Luzon, Philippine Islands, in 1942. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Lieutenant Colonel Lewis, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry)

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (Philippine Islands & Japan)

    Action Date:

    1942 – Died in Captivity

    Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Eugene Thomas Lewis (ASN: 0-17296), United States Army, was captured during fighting in the Philippine Islands in 1942 and was held by the Japanese as a Prisoner of War until his death in captivity.