Having actually gone "Missing" on the above date, he was not officially declared by the military as being dead until April 21, 1945, 1 year and 1 day after he went missing as was the custom.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Lewis served as a Seaman Second Class, U.S.S. Lansdale (DD-426), U.S. Navy during World War II.

He resided in Williamsburg County, South Carolina prior to the war.

The Lansdale, while escorting Convey UGS 38 bound from Norfolk to Bizerte, was first attacked by two or three waves of German Heinkel He 111s Aircraft. One successfully released a torpedo which struck the Lansdale's starboard side forward, wrecking the forward fireroom and opening both sides to the sea.

The Lansdale's skipper, Lt. Cdr. Douglas M. Swift, ordered her abandoned when he feared the stricken ship might roll "completely over." Five minutes later she broke in half, and the stern section quickly sank. The forward section sank 20 minutes later.

Forty-eight (48) officers and men were carried down with Lansdale.

Lewis was declared "Missing In Action" in this attack during the war.

He was awarded the Purple Heart.

Service # 9305276

The Lansdale received 4 Battle Stars for it's World War II Service.

The S.S. Paul Hamilton and S.S. Royal Star were also both sunk in this attack.
The Royal Star had only 1 crewman lost.
The S.S. Paul Hamilton, however, had a loss of approximately 580 men. "533" on the Hamilton that were lost were U.S. Soldiers and Sailors!

( Bio by: Russ Pickett )∼

Previously added to Find A Grave:

Was a crewmember on the destroyer USS Lansdale escorting a supply convoy to provide supplies and reinforcements to Anzio. Convoy was surprised by German aircraft at sundown and several ships were lost. 49 of the crew were killed and 76 wounded.
http://destroyerhistory.org/assets/pdf/wilde/426lansdale_wilde.pdf

Having actually gone "Missing" on the above date, he was not officially declared by the military as being dead until April 21, 1945, 1 year and 1 day after he went missing as was the custom.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Lewis served as a Seaman Second Class, U.S.S. Lansdale (DD-426), U.S. Navy during World War II.

He resided in Williamsburg County, South Carolina prior to the war.

The Lansdale, while escorting Convey UGS 38 bound from Norfolk to Bizerte, was first attacked by two or three waves of German Heinkel He 111s Aircraft. One successfully released a torpedo which struck the Lansdale's starboard side forward, wrecking the forward fireroom and opening both sides to the sea.

The Lansdale's skipper, Lt. Cdr. Douglas M. Swift, ordered her abandoned when he feared the stricken ship might roll "completely over." Five minutes later she broke in half, and the stern section quickly sank. The forward section sank 20 minutes later.

Forty-eight (48) officers and men were carried down with Lansdale.

Lewis was declared "Missing In Action" in this attack during the war.

He was awarded the Purple Heart.

Service # 9305276

The Lansdale received 4 Battle Stars for it's World War II Service.

The S.S. Paul Hamilton and S.S. Royal Star were also both sunk in this attack.
The Royal Star had only 1 crewman lost.
The S.S. Paul Hamilton, however, had a loss of approximately 580 men. "533" on the Hamilton that were lost were U.S. Soldiers and Sailors!

( Bio by: Russ Pickett )∼

Previously added to Find A Grave:

Was a crewmember on the destroyer USS Lansdale escorting a supply convoy to provide supplies and reinforcements to Anzio. Convoy was surprised by German aircraft at sundown and several ships were lost. 49 of the crew were killed and 76 wounded.
http://destroyerhistory.org/assets/pdf/wilde/426lansdale_wilde.pdf