Help find family of a deceased WWII airman

[Matteo La Boccia]

Dear colleagues,
we recently received informations about a pen of a deceased WWII airman. He was in crew of a crashed B-24 we found some time ago. This aircraft was shot down at 11 january 1943. For more informations about this research please visit here: Il Consolidated B-24 Liberator 11593
A man who live in area found in post war a pen with name of Julius P. Lewis who dead in crash site. He want contact family of Lewis to retunr this pen. Someone can help us to locate the family? Thanks.

 

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[jakewilliam]

Local newspapers , radio stations usually love these stories and get the word out

 

[Mackaydon]

Matteo,
An interesting find.
I'm working on your request and will give you periodic updates.
Update #1: 2nd Lt. Julius P. Lewis was attached to the 376th Bombing Group who, coincidentally, are having a Reunion next week. I have a call in to the Historian of that group and should receive a response; hopefully, today. Another coincidence, the 376th Bombing Group was, at one time, stationed at March Field, Riverside, Ca.--as was I during the Viet Nam years '63-'69- the Field then was named March AFB.
Don....

 

[Matteo La Boccia]

Hi Mac, many thanks for your precious help. I hope in your good news!

Matteo,
An interesting find.
I'm working on your request and will give you periodic updates.
Update #1: 2nd Lt. Julius P. Lewis was attached to the 376th Bombing Group who, coincidentally, are having a Reunion next week. I have a call in to the Historian of that group and should receive a response; hopefully, today. Another coincidence, the 376th Bombing Group was, at one time, stationed at March Field, Riverside, Ca.--as was I during the Viet Nam years '63-'69- the Field then was named March AFB.
Don....

 

[Mackaydon]

Update #2: While I await word from the Historian, here's a sidebar story of the pilot of that last mission.
His name was John H. Payne and in 2001 he was inducted into the University of Texas (UT) Hall of Fame. As part of that ceremony, his bio was introduced which read in part:
Col. John Payne (Men's Golf)
Captain of the UT golf team that won three straight Southwest Conference Championships ... graduated in 1935 and left during first year of Law School to join Army Air Corps in 1936 ... assigned to duty in Africa in 1942 ... led first attack of his bomber group against Italian fleet ... awarded Silver Star and made Lt. Col ... completed tour of combat duty, but in January, 1943, volunteered to lead old unit over Italy and was transferred to Cairo ... killed in action during a bomber run ... Army airfield near Cairo was named "The John H. Payne Field" ... when airfield was turned over to Egypt, the plaque that hung there was given to UT and displayed in Gregory Gym for many years.
Don......

 

[SeabeeRon]

What a great story, I will be following this one!!

 

[Mackaydon]

Matteo,
I'm now in contact with the Historian, and have given him the story and the request for him to take to their Reunion.
I'll keep you updated as I get more information.
Don.....

 

[Mackaydon]

Matteo,
The Historian is still out of his office but he did give me a reply:
"Still on travel, so no access to my records.".... we have little to no info on them. I cannot recall how they got to the 376; i.e. replacements(?). Payne and Vanness were part of HALPRO, but the crews were being formed from new and experienced guys. As I noted, I can find the graves of 5 of the men, but Brown and Lewis are unknown. He posted a picture of Brown, but not sure where he got it. Would love to know the source. I would probably have to go to AFHRA and do a search, but I do not have the time right now. We have been contacted over the years by relatives of KIA and MIA men. Since we have not been contact do far, it may be due to their not being married or having children. So, now we are looking for nieces and nephews."

Matteo,I 'll stay with this and contact the AFHRA; meanwhile the Historian will be at the Reunion this week and might get lucky regarding Lewis, the Navigator. Lewis was most likely an officer. I'd favor he was a 1st Lt. since these crews were hand picked--the best of the best.
Don......

 

[Matteo La Boccia]

Many thanks for your always precious help!!!

 

[hbru123]

That is a very amazing find! I hope you are able to find the family!

 

[Mackaydon]

I put out another inquiry to the historian today.
I'll add to the thread if I receive his response.
Don..........

 

[Matteo La Boccia]

Many thanks!

 

[RustyGold]

Awesome story good luck!

 

[CaptEsteban]

Here is a link to the application for his grave marker . It was applied for by Herbert B. Lewis, of Silver Springs, Maryland.
Here is where he is buried.

Name	Julius P Lewis
Birth Date	8 Mar 1918
Death Date	11 Jan 1943
Cemetery	Buai Israel Cemetery
Cemetery Location	Oxon Hill, Maryland

https://www.ancestry.com/interactiv...c=Sbb158&_phstart=successSource&usePUBJs=true

 

[Mackaydon]

That would be the B'nai Israel Cemetery.
Address: 5401 St Barnabas Rd, Oxon Hill, MD 20745


Phone: (301) 881-6550


Don..

 

[Mackaydon]

Maybe this man:

First Name: Herbert Last Name: Lewis Full Name: Herbert Lewis Title: Owner Address: 9039 Sligo Creek Pky Ste 202 Silver Spring, MD 20901 County: Montgomery Area Code: 240/301/410

 

[SeabeeRon]

Been following this thread! So hope this pen is reunited with this WWII Vet's family!

 

[CaptEsteban]

I am still looking for more info.
This was the pilot.

https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=26217344

and co-pilot

https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=26217344

 

[Matteo La Boccia]

Thank to all. Any idea to contact Herbert B. Lewis, of Silver Springs?

 

[CaptEsteban]

This " may " be his number.

[h=2]301-589-1946[/h]