Lt. Col. Charles J. Lewis (Ret.)

Lt. Col. Charles J. Lewis (Ret.), “Chuck,” of Enterprise, Alabama passed away peacefully on November 7, 2020 in Lakeside, Arizona at the age of 96. He joins his wife of 74 years, Helen Faye Lewis, who passed earlier this year.

Chuck was born on March 3, 1924 in Haskett, Oklahoma, one of four children, to Ernest and Mary Lewis. He enlisted in the U.S. Army at the age of 18 and ultimately achieved the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Chuck is a veteran of World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam. He earned multiple medals and decorations throughout his career, including the National Defense Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Master Army Aviator Badge, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon, Air Medal, and Armed Forces Reserve Medal.

He retired in 1970 after nearly three decades of service. His career took him, and often his family, across the world to places including Okinawa, Germany, and Italy; and in the United States they made homes in Alaska, Arizona, and finally, Enterprise, Alabama near Fort Rucker, home of U.S. Army Aviation.

Chuck had a deep sense of justice that guided him throughout his life. He fought for, and won, compensation and recognition for service members that were exposed to radiation during atomic bomb and weapons testing between 1946-1962. He was politically active and supported local and federal campaigns, following our elected officials’ actions closely. He was righteous to a fault (usually someone else’s!) and incredibly generous. It was rare to visit the PX (Post Exchange) with Chuck and not come home with some sort of surprise or stop for a treat, especially if you were a grandkid.

He also had a deep love of cars and could be seen tooling around in his garage well into his 90s.

Chuck is survived by his sister Kay; his son, Ronald and wife, Margie; daughter, Paula Morris and husband, Jody; grandchildren, Chelsea, Jeb, Rick, and Shayna; great-grandchildren, Jalen, Anthony Jr., Angelo and Madeline; great-grandchild, Mila and other nieces and nephews.

Chuck’s viewing will be held 2:30P.M. Monday, November 16, 2020 at the Owens Livingston Mortuary in Show Low, Arizona. He will be buried at a private ceremony in the Dallas/Fort Worth National Cemetery in the following days.

Throughout their lives, Chuck and Helen always included a beloved dog as part of their family, and stories about Booger Boy, a German shepherd Al that he brought home from Germany were some of Chuck’s favorites.

The family requests that memorials may be made to the American Humane Society or the charity of one’s choice.

• National Defense Service Medal w Oak Leaf Cluster: Members of the U.S. Army who had received two NDSMs (i.e. for both Korean and Vietnam eras), wore an oak leaf cluster on the ribbon
• Army Commendation Medal:  is awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States other than General Officers who, while serving in any capacity with the U.S. Army after December 6, 1941. distinguished themselves by heroism, meritorious achievement of meritorious service.
• Armed Forces Service Medal: is presented to those service members who engage in "significant activity" for which no other U.S. campaign or service medal is authorized
• United Nations Service Medal: is awarded to any military service member, of an Armed Force allied with South Korea, who participated in the defense of South Korea from North Korea between the dates of June 27, 1950 and July 27, 1954
• Army Aviator Badge: is awarded to soldiers who have completed the necessary training and proficiency tests conducted by the U.S. Army Aviation Center
• Senior Army Aviator Badge:  Army Aviator Badge + 7 years service and 1,000 flight hours
• Master Army Aviator Badge: Army Aviator Badge + 15 years service and 2,000 flight hours
• Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal: is awarded to members of the United States armed forces who, after July 1, 1958, have participated in a United States military operation and encountered foreign armed opposition, or were in danger of hostile action by foreign armed forces
• Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon w/Device is awarded to military personnel, both South Vietnamese for twelve months wartime service in the field, and allied foreign military who have directly participated for six months in "a large-scale military campaign during certain periods of time".
• Combat Infantryman Badge is awarded to infantryman satisfactorily performing infantry duties
• Air Medal is awarded for single acts of heroism or meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight
• Armed Forces Reserve Medal (w 10 year Dev w/2d award)
•