CAPT DON ROBERT LEWIS

DON ROBERT LEWIS

Silver Star Citation
Don Robert Lewis Date of birth: January 30, 1936 Date of death: February 9, 1965 Place of Birth: Georgia, Cedartown Home of record: Holly Hill Florida Status: KIA AWARDS AND CITATIONS Silver Star Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Captain Don Robert Lewis (AFSN: 0-67417/AO-3095261), United States Air Force, for gallantry in action in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force as an Advisor-Pilot, 33d Air Base Squadron, 33d Tactical Group, THIRTEENTH Air Force, in action over the Republic of Vietnam on 8 February 1965. On that date, Captain Lewis flew a visual reconnaissance mission to determine the location, disposition and strength of unfriendly forces who were engaging the Republic of Vietnam forces. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, and though subject to intensive accurate ground fire, Captain Lewis continuously flew his aircraft at extremely low altitude over the Viet Cong to expose their positions to the friendly forces. On one low pass, Captain Lewis was seriously wounded when his aircraft sustained a direct hit in the fuselage. Demonstrating outstanding airmanship and professionalism, Captain Lewis successfully completed his mission before landing his crippled aircraft. Captain Lewis' action are in keeping with the highest traditions of courage of the American fighting man. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Captain Lewis has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force. Action Date: February 8, 1965 Service: Air Force Rank: Captain Battalion: 33d Air Base Squadron Regiment: 33d Tactical Group Division: 13th Air Force
Feb 9, 2015

Edward Henry
Edwardntx@att.net
Fellow Veteran
5814 Bayside Drive Fort Worth TX 76132 USA
Rest Well Hero
I honor your service and your sacrifice. I came home safe from the war, I'm sorry you did not. You are not forgotten. May you rest in peace.
Sep 13, 2009

Malcolm Kirby
mlkdrk@earthlink.net
USAF Veteran
Rest in Peace, my Brother
You will not be forgotten...
Jan 30, 2008

manny g
Fellow Veteran 69-70 An Khe
Union Gap, WA. 98903
�You are Remembered�
Peace and condolence, to the family and friends. "He which hath no stomach to this fight let him depart. But we in it shall be remembered. We few, we happy few, we band of brothers!! For he today, that sheds his blood with me, shall always be my brother�. Rest in peace brave soldier, you have not been forgotten. (W.Shakespeare) May God Bless You for your Sacrifice!!!

Jan 30, 2008

Bill Gallenstein
USAF Veteran
Zephyrhills FL 33541 USA
A very proud cold war USAF veteran remembers you on this day. My God bless you and your family always. I salute you. Servd at Lockbourne in 63/64.
May 27, 2007

devin mcdade
florida USA
I may have never known this hero, but from all of the other letters he sounds like a great man. I would thank him with my life for what he did. I know the bravery that it takes to join the war and fight for our freedom. I know this hero, Don Lewis, was a great man just like the other men that fought in the veitnam war and so I thank him and all the other men that fought in the war.
Thursday, March 10, 2005

Robert B. Green
Crew Chief
Virginia, USA
Khanh Hoa RSVN

For Our Lost Brother Don Robert Lewis the Forward Air Controllers Association http://fac-assoc.org/
Friday, August 16, 2002

Tuesday, September 03, 2002

Michael Lewis
hardcatch@aol.com
Son
1443 Nautilus Drive
Navarre, FL 32566 USA
Captain Don Robert Lewis, American Hero
Captain Don Robert Lewis, Captain, United States Air Force, was killed in action in Vietnam, February 9, 1965. A native of Cedertown, GA, he was raised in Daytona Beach, Florida where he graduated from Mainland High School. He attended Florida State University on a swimming scholarship where he was a varsity swimmer for four years. He was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity, Air Force ROTC, and Arnold Air Society. he graduated in January 1959 with a degree from the School of Business and received his commission in the Air Force upon graduation. He attended pilot training at Moultrie, GA and Greenville, MS. As a member of the last advanced pilot training class to be trained in the F-86 at Moody, AFB in Valdosta, GA, he was assigned to the 87th Fighter Interceptor Squadron at Lockborne, AFB, OH. In 1964 he attended Vietnamese language school in Washington, DC prior to being assigned to the 1st Air Commando Group, Hurlburt Field, Florida. He was deployed to Ban Me Tuot, South Vietnam in October 1964 where he served as a Foward Air Controller, in support of South Vietnamese ground forces. On a mission on February 8, 1965, he was flying approximately 190 miles NW of Saigon and was wounded by ground fire while supporting ground forces under attack. Severely wounded, he safely landed his aircraft at Ban Me Tuot. Upon landing, he was evacuated to the Eigth Field Army Hospital, Nha Trang, Vietnam, where he died from his wounds eighteen hours later. His widow, Mary Powell Lewis, and his two sons, Don Robert Jr., age 4, and Michael Byars, age 2, were presented with decorations posthumously awarded to Captain Lewis at a parade at Hurlburt Field in August of 1964. They were the Silver Star, Air Medal with five Oak Leaf clusters, Purple Heart, and the Vietnam Cross of Gallentry with Palm. In 1997, the Captain Don Robert Lewis Air Commando Award was created at the AFROTC detachment at Florida State Universty. It is awarded each spring to the outstanding cadet who displays the outstanding traits of Captain Lewis, 'Character, Courage, and Sacrifice'. In October of 2000, Captain Don Robert Lewis heroism was recognized by his peers when he was selected to the AIR COMMANDO HALL OF FAME by the Air Commando Association.
Wednesday, September 04, 2002