Roll Call Tribute
Sam Lewis '43 July 26, 2017 10:44 AM updated: July 27, 2017 10:16 AM
Tribute sent by daughter
Sam B. Lewis Jr. born July 29, 1921, died July 25, 2017
Spouse: Lorraine (Glass) Lewis, Born March 6, 1927, died December 30, 2014
Sam received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Architecture from Texas A& M University, College Station, Texas in 1943 and entered the Army immediately upon graduation.
He attended Field Artillery School, Officer Candidate School one week after entering the Army at Ft. Sill, OK. He attended Infantry School, Officer Special Basic Course #30 at Ft. Benning, GA.
Served as First Lieutenant and platoon leader with the 273rd Infantry Regiment in the Rhineland and Central Europe Campaigns and with the 115th Infantry Regiment in the European Theater of Operations. Commanded an infantry platoon and was responsible for its administration and tactical training.
Citation: Bronze Star Medal, May 8, 1945, By command of Major General Reinhardt
“For heroic achievement in connection with military operations against the enemy on April 18, 1945 in Leipzig, Germany. He skillfully led his platoon through perilous street fighting against enemy positions, directing flanking elements to advantageous points. Constantly exposing himself to the enemy, he directed two tanks against stubborn resistance and was largely instrumental in the capture large numbers of prisoners. In plain view of enemy snipers, he also supervised the evacuation and treatment of wounded. His superb leadership and courage, at the risk of his life, reflect the highest credit upon First Lieutenant Lewis and the armed forces of the United States.”
Additional:
Two Bronze service stars for the Rhineland and Central Europe Campaign American Theater Campaign Medal
Army of Occupation (Germany) Victory Medal and Combat Infantry Badge
Upon discharge, Sam returned to Dallas,Texas in 1946 and on August 11, married his childhood sweetheart, Lorraine Glass. They went on to have four daughters while Sam enjoyed his career in architecture. Their greatest joy was traveling to Europe and returning to some of the places where he had been during the war and visiting with friends he had made there during that time.
They made a total of 10 trips between 1966 and 1995.
After retirement, Sam and Lorraine move to Central Texas, first Wimberley, later Lockhart; and in 1990, he embarked upon what was to become the greatest mission of his life: a living memorial to a fellow Aggie, Lt. Buck Kotzebue. Lt. Kotzebue was the first American to meet with Russian allies on the Elbe River in Strehla, Germany on April 25, 1945 marking the beginning of the end of WWII.
Sam designed a unique and symbolic memorial called “Three- Peoples Flagpole” which was placed on a piece of land on the banks of the Elbe River donated by the people of Strehla and dedicated on the 50th anniversary of the link-up. He was able to raise the funds to build the memorial with the help of members of the 69th Division and various Aggie Alumni Clubs from 1940-1945 in Texas. He and Lorraine were honored to attend the dedication and Sam made a brief speech.
Sam loved reminiscing about this event as well as his experiences in the war and even spent several years writing a detailed memoir of those experiences along with those of his and Lorraine’s lives together. He wanted to leave a legacy to his descendants and we are blessed to have them. In a paragraph from the forward of these memoirs Sam writes:
“War is a terrible thing. I remember thinking when I finally returned home that I wouldn’t take a million dollars for my experiences, but if I had that much, I would give it all not to have to go through it again. One day, one close call is enough war for any man. And although my own contribution was small by comparison to others, I am none the less proud of what I did during this time. I did what I was asked to do. I was shot at and endured shelling, but I never quit, never turned tail and ran, and I believe I had the respect of the thirty-five men under my command. They followed where I led and did what they had to do. In the final analysis, I can honestly say that I was an Officer and a Gentleman, and I was a good soldier.”
Sam Work for the Texas A& Facilities Department in 1971-72
Video of 1995 Ceremony is on YouTube: “Elbe Day 1995” by Frank Ullrich (https://youtu.be/4dYn3BWA8LU)
Sam B. Lewis Jr. born July 29, 1921, died July 25, 2017
Spouse: Lorraine (Glass) Lewis, Born March 6, 1927, died December 30, 2014
Sam received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Architecture from Texas A& M University, College Station, Texas in 1943 and entered the Army immediately upon graduation.
He attended Field Artillery School, Officer Candidate School one week after entering the Army at Ft. Sill, OK. He attended Infantry School, Officer Special Basic Course #30 at Ft. Benning, GA.
Served as First Lieutenant and platoon leader with the 273rd Infantry Regiment in the Rhineland and Central Europe Campaigns and with the 115th Infantry Regiment in the European Theater of Operations. Commanded an infantry platoon and was responsible for its administration and tactical training.
Citation: Bronze Star Medal, May 8, 1945, By command of Major General Reinhardt
“For heroic achievement in connection with military operations against the enemy on April 18, 1945 in Leipzig, Germany. He skillfully led his platoon through perilous street fighting against enemy positions, directing flanking elements to advantageous points. Constantly exposing himself to the enemy, he directed two tanks against stubborn resistance and was largely instrumental in the capture large numbers of prisoners. In plain view of enemy snipers, he also supervised the evacuation and treatment of wounded. His superb leadership and courage, at the risk of his life, reflect the highest credit upon First Lieutenant Lewis and the armed forces of the United States.”
Additional:
Two Bronze service stars for the Rhineland and Central Europe Campaign American Theater Campaign Medal
Army of Occupation (Germany) Victory Medal and Combat Infantry Badge
Upon discharge, Sam returned to Dallas,Texas in 1946 and on August 11, married his childhood sweetheart, Lorraine Glass. They went on to have four daughters while Sam enjoyed his career in architecture. Their greatest joy was traveling to Europe and returning to some of the places where he had been during the war and visiting with friends he had made there during that time.
They made a total of 10 trips between 1966 and 1995.
After retirement, Sam and Lorraine move to Central Texas, first Wimberley, later Lockhart; and in 1990, he embarked upon what was to become the greatest mission of his life: a living memorial to a fellow Aggie, Lt. Buck Kotzebue. Lt. Kotzebue was the first American to meet with Russian allies on the Elbe River in Strehla, Germany on April 25, 1945 marking the beginning of the end of WWII.
Sam designed a unique and symbolic memorial called “Three- Peoples Flagpole” which was placed on a piece of land on the banks of the Elbe River donated by the people of Strehla and dedicated on the 50th anniversary of the link-up. He was able to raise the funds to build the memorial with the help of members of the 69th Division and various Aggie Alumni Clubs from 1940-1945 in Texas. He and Lorraine were honored to attend the dedication and Sam made a brief speech.
Sam loved reminiscing about this event as well as his experiences in the war and even spent several years writing a detailed memoir of those experiences along with those of his and Lorraine’s lives together. He wanted to leave a legacy to his descendants and we are blessed to have them. In a paragraph from the forward of these memoirs Sam writes:
“War is a terrible thing. I remember thinking when I finally returned home that I wouldn’t take a million dollars for my experiences, but if I had that much, I would give it all not to have to go through it again. One day, one close call is enough war for any man. And although my own contribution was small by comparison to others, I am none the less proud of what I did during this time. I did what I was asked to do. I was shot at and endured shelling, but I never quit, never turned tail and ran, and I believe I had the respect of the thirty-five men under my command. They followed where I led and did what they had to do. In the final analysis, I can honestly say that I was an Officer and a Gentleman, and I was a good soldier.”
Sam Work for the Texas A& Facilities Department in 1971-72
Video of 1995 Ceremony is on YouTube: “Elbe Day 1995” by Frank Ullrich (https://youtu.be/4dYn3BWA8LU)
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