Born in Bainbridge, New York on 9 July 1892, Lewis graduated from Harvard College in 1915 and sailed for France with the Harvard Unit, American Ambulance Corps (Section Sanitaire Etats Unis III). The unit served with distinction and was awarded a Croix de Guerre with Star for rescuing wounded under fire.
Following his tour of duty with the Ambulance Corps, he returned to the United States. After “several months of boredom”, he volunteered for a tour of duty with the New York National Guard on the Mexican Border in 1916.
In 1917, he returned to France with the Norton-Harjes Ambulance Corps (S.S.U.XXI), but after 10 days of service he transferred to the French Foreign Legion and then to The French Aviation as a part of the LaFayette Flying Corps. He was assigned as a pilot to Escadrille SPAD 79 (The Wolf Squadron) and was awarded a Croix De Guerre with Palm for several exploits including locating the “Paris Gun” (Big Bertha) and shooting down a Siemens Schuckert fighter in combat. He was also shot down and wounded slightly in this encounter which was on 7 September 1918. He was then transferred to the American Expeditionary Forces and made chief test pilot at the American Supply Field at Colombey-le-Belles. Lewis considered this duty the most dangerous part of his wartime career and worked hard to be transferred to the U.S. 25th Aero Squadron with which he finished the war.
Following the war, he led an entertainment group putting on a show called “Happy Landings” for the troops awaiting passage to America.
The LaFayette Foundation flies a replica of his SE5a as part of the The LaFayette Foundation Museum’s display.
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