Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
John
Llewellyn
Lewis
POW (WWII) KIA
August 1, 1901

–

January 25, 1945

Cemetery:

A.B.M.C. Manila (Tablets of the Missing)

John Lewis graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1925. During World War II, he was severely wounded on May 9, 1942 during a Japanese attack and was captured the next day when U.S. forces on Mindanao surrendered. He was held in POW camps in the Philippines until December 13, 1944 when he was loaded on an unmarked ship, known as the hell ship, for transfer to Japan. This ship was attacked by U.S. aircraft on December 14 and 15, 1944 and sunk in Subic Bay. As the prisoners of war attempted to escape the sinking ship, the Japanese turned machine gun fire on them. Wounded several times, he managed to carry a fellow soldier to shore. They were recaptured and placed on another hell ship which was sunk by us aircraft in Takao harbor, Formosa on January 9, 1945. He survived that sinking and was placed on a third hell ship and on the way to Japan he froze to death on January 25, 1945.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Field Artillery)

    Regiment:

    61st Field Artillery (Philippine Scouts)

    Action Date:

    World War II
    Headquarters, U.S. Forces-Pacific, General Orders No. 256 (1945)

    (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 (Field Artillery) John Llewellyn Lewis (ASN: 0-16222), 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 (Field Artillery)

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (Philippine Islands)

    Action Date:

    May 1942 – Died in Captivity

    Lieutenant Colonel (Field Artillery) John Llewellyn Lewis (ASN: 0-16222), United States Army, was captured after the fall of Mindanao, Philippine Islands in 1942, and was held as a Prisoner of War until his death while still in captivity.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Field Artillery)

    Regiment:

    61st Field Artillery Regiment (PS)

    Division:

    61st Division, Philippine Army

    Action Date:

    May 9, 1942
    Headquarters, U.S. Forces-Pacific, General Orders No. 256 (October 14, 1945)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Colonel (Field Artillery) John Llewellyn Lewis (ASN: 0-16222), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with the 61st Field Artillery Regiment (Philippine Scouts), 61st Division, Philippine Army, in action against enemy forces on 9 May 1942. During the evening of 9 May 9 1942 when it was becoming increasingly difficult to maintain contact with other units and the only communications left was by runner, Colonel Lewis’ Regimental Commander left him in charge of the regiment while he went to try to find the Sector Command Post. Soon after, the Japanese launched an overwhelming attack on the 61st Field Artillery regiment positions and Colonel Lewis was severely wounded. Lieutenant Colonel Lewis’ extraordinary heroism, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.