Years of service 1939–1942 Battles and wars World War II Awards Navy Cross | Name Milton Lewis Rank Corporal | |
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Born July 8, 1920
Gainesville, Florida ( 1920-07-08 ) Allegiance United States of America Battles/wars World War II
*Battle of Tulagi Died August 7, 1942, Tulagi, Solomon Islands Service/branch United States Marine Corps | ||
Education Gainesville High School | ||
(04-07-19 Traditional) “Making a New Thing,” Milton Lewis
Milton Lewis (1920–1942) was a United States Marine Corps corporal who received a posthumous Navy Cross for his actions in the Battle of Tulagi during World War II.
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Biography
Milton Lewis was born on 8 July 1920 in Gainesville, Florida. He attended Gainesville High School, where he was a stand-out athlete, leading the swimming and football teams. He cut his schooling short in 1938 and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on 20 February 1939.
After completing training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island at Parris Island, South Carolina, he served at various posts in the United States as well as at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Promoted to corporal on 12 September 1940, he departed for World War II action in the Pacific in June 1942.
During the invasion of the Solomon Islands, Corporal Lewis was involved in the landings on Tulagi on 7 August 1942. On the day of the landings, he led his squad in a determined attack against a Japanese machine gun position which blocked his unit’s advance. Corporal Lewis was mortally wounded during the assault, but his relentless fighting spirit so inspired his men that they wiped out the Japanese emplacement.
Corporal Lewis was the first resident of Alachua County, Florida, to die in combat in World War II.
Awards
For his extraordinary heroism and unswerving devotion to duty during the Battle of Tulagi, Corporal Lewis was awarded the Navy Cross posthumously.
Namesakes
The United States Navy destroyer escort USS Milton Lewis (De-772) launched in 1944 but never completed, was named for Corporal Lewis.