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| Lewis Anderson Page, Jr.
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| NO. 17790 •
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| Died 20 June 1953, at Sewickley, Pennsylvania from injuries received in a plane crash, aged 28 years.
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COLONEL LEWIS ANDERSON PAGE, SR. is a soldier. He
has served his country faithfully for many years. Young Lewis Jr. was raised
in a military atmosphere and he thought it a wonderful life. He decided as a
youth that he would follow his father's career. He, and his young brother Alex,
would serve the nation as officers in the Armed Forces.
Lew was the first to enter the Service. He was in his second year at
Clemson College when he joined the Air Corps in 1942. He was a young man of
eighteen when he began his Aviation Cadet Training. A year later Lew had earned
his navigator's wings and a commission in the Army of the United States.
He was immediately sent into combat crew training in preparation for an
overseas assignment. Lew went to England and was assigned to the crew of a B‑17
Flying Fortress. The big bombers flew their long dangerous journeys into the
heart of the German Reich. The B‑17's, along with the other allied
bombers, constantly hammered the German war productivity. Night and day the
"Forts" battered the continent.
One murky afternoon twenty‑two thousand feet above the German
countryside Lew's plane was hit and felled by enemy fighters. The crew bailed out of the stricken aircraft. Along
with the others Lew hurtled down through the sky. Being a navigator, he know
the height of the clouds. He allowed himself to fall free for seventeen
thousand feet into their protective billows before he opened his parachute and
halted his long plunge, Moments later he touched the warm sweet earth. Lew had
hardly recovered from the jolt of his landing when they were about him ‑
solemn faces, the taut faces of German farmers, forming a cordon of pitchforks
and shotguns.
Lew spent that sleepless night in the local jail. In the morning he
started his trip north, to a year's internment in a German Prisoner of War
Camp. There on the bleak shores of the Baltic Sea, Lew was an inspiring leader
for others to call upon. He was always cheerful and ready to help all without
hesitation. He was never so concerned with his own wants that he would not
willingly turn aside for others.
Eventually victory came to the Allies in Europe and freedom for Lew. He
returned home. However, he was a soldier and knew it would be his life. He
turned his sights toward entry to West Point.
In July 1946 Lew's study and diligent efforts were rewarded with an
appointment to the United States Military Academy. Former First Lieutenant L.
A. Page, Jr. entered the Academy along with forty‑five other former Army
Officers and the largest veteran class in the school's history.
The first year was a long difilcult test. Lew bent under the pressure
many times but always fought back to surmount each obstacle. Three more years
he was tested and found true.
Lew was a Cadet with spirit and full belief in the Corps. He was a
versatile youth and took part in many diverse activities. He played saxophone in the band. He sang
with both the Glee Club and the Catholic Choir. Lew participated in inter‑collegiate
and intramural athletics. He was also a member of the German and Radio Clubs.
At graduation Lew turned to the Air Arm that had grown along with him and
had become a full fledged separate service. A second time Lew went after his
wings.
Graduation brought another wonderful gift. For four years Lew had thought
of the day when he and Joan Wojciehoski could be married. Their dreams were
finally realized. Lew and Joan were married the day after graduation in the
Catholic Chapel at West Point.
After two glorious months of graduation leave, they headed South to San
Antonio. Lew entered Basic Flying Training at Randolph Air Base, Texas. He
passed along easily to advanced training in F‑51's at Alabama’s Craig
Field. Here, in early August 1951, Joan pinned pilot's wings on Lew.
Then there were three. Lew and Joan were thrilled by the birth of a
daughter. She was named Carol. The new
family had a a few wonderful months together.
In the meantime Lew was busy training in Gunnery School at Luke Field,
Arizona. Upon completion of his course,
he was once more prepared for overseas combat duty. This time Lew headed West
to war. In the hostile skies over North Korea he flew 75 combat missions. As
Squadron Operations Officer Lew fought the Communists both at the planning
chart and in the air. Eventually he completed his Korean tour. Captain Lew Page returned joyfully to his
family and the comfort of his home.
After leave, the family moved to Florida where Lew had been assigned as
an instructor, transitioning pilots to jet aircraft.
One day Lew was requested to take a young officer home on emergency leave
to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. All was uneventful on the nothern trip. Then, just
after takeoff on the return flight, disaster struck. The T‑33 caught
fire, and when the aircraft went down, Lew rose above it. He rose higher, much
higher than he had ever been before. Thus he went as he had lived; helping, comforting,
and giving service to others.
We all called him "Mother" Page. It was a name given in humor
but only as a hidden expression of our affection for his sincere kindness. Lew
was a man who would willingly give his unreserved help to anyone who needed aid
or assistance. Never did he expect a favor in return. He served others because
he wanted to.
Lew was a devout man. He never forced his religious thoughts upon others
but he was never ashamed to declare his belief in God and his religion. He
acted in accordance with his beliefs. He was a good Christian. His morals and
thoughts were of the highest. With him it was always Sunday morning.
Lew was a wonderful man – as a son, a brother, a husband,
a father and a friend. In each capacity he gave fully of his generous self and
all in turn recognized his incalculable goodness.
Alex Page was not the
only man who lost a brother that fateful day. Every man in the Class of 1950
lost one too.
‑George P. Vlisides. Captain, USAF, a Company Classmate.
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USMA 1950