Seven Men of the USS Lewis

The USS Lewis (DE-535) was a John C. Butler Class destroyer escort. She was active during the latter stages of World War II and the Korean War. She received three battle stars during WWII and one during Korea. She served in the Philippines, Okinawa, Iwo Jima and during attacks on mainland Japan.

During the Korean War, in 1952, she was operating on shore bombardment taking out many targets, from gun batteries to transports to trains. It was during one of these operations on the night of October 21, that she came to the aid of ROK minesweepers in Wonsan harbor. The Lewis started taking fire from 4 enemy batteries. She returned fire and also laid down smokescreens so the minesweepers could safely retreat. She took two 75mm shell hits around this time, the first striking the forward fire room and #1 boiler. This resulted in the death of seven men.

Those seven men died while working to silence the enemy intent on killing all the men on board the Lewis as well as all of the men aboard the two South Korean minesweepers. They died not only in service to their country and in defense of freedom, but also in defense of those who stood side by side with them, their brothers in arms.

The seven men who paid the ultimate price that night are not forgotten by their families or their brothers in arms. They are remembered at every reunion by those who remain. Let us join with them in remembrance of those seven men.

Richard Eugene Brower

James Theodore Crossman

Arnold William Karlin

Raymond Edwin Remers

David John Schmit

George Alfred Schofeild Jr.

Floyd Sneed

USS Lewis (DE-535)