Merrill Raymond Lewis, Jr

Colonel
34TH TFS, 7TH AF
United States Air Force
17 August 1932 - 15 January 1979
Indianola, IA
Panel 09E Line 048

7TH AF

34TH TFS
F-105D

USAF Pilot

Purple Heart, Air Medal, National Defense, Vietnam Service, Vietnam Campaign

The database page for Merrill Raymond Lewis, Jr

The Memorial

I never have known more about you than your name and the date you were listed as missing. But I will never forget you and what you did for America. God take care of you and your loved ones forever, and I hope they know that there is a 46 year old woman in Pennsylvania who keeps you in her prayers every day.



The Mission

Then-Captain Merrill R. Lewis, Jr, was flew as one of a four-plane F-105D mission over North Vietnam on July 20, 1966. The target was located in Lang Son Province about 10 miles south of the city of Loc Binh (in turn located about 50 miles northeast of Hanoi). The flight was approaching its pull-up point for bomb delivery when flak was observed at Lewis' altitude.

Lewis radioed that his cockpit was full of smoke. Following the transmission, his burning aircraft was observed in a descending dive to impact. Although no parachute was observed and no emergency radio beeper signals were heard, it was possible that Lewis successfully ejected. Accordingly, he was classed as Missing in Action.

For 23 years the Vietnamese denied any knowledge of Captain Lewis, but in September 1989 the U.S. announced that remains returned by the Vietnamese had been positively identified as being those of Merrill R. Lewis, Jr.

NOTE: Lewis was promoted to Colonel while in MIA status.



A memorial from one who wore his MIA bracelet,
Allison Bosco
jpboscoruns@aol.com 
23 Oct 2001



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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)