Harlin Burnett Lewis
Sergeant, U.S. Army

Harlin Burnett Lewis was born on 26 September 1920 in Thomasville, MO, the son of Thomas Campbell and Cora Ethel Davis Lewis.

As a young man, Harlin was raised on a 35-acre farm in Thomasville where he planted, cultivated and harvested truck crops; cared for livestock and poultry; and he did blacksmith work, including tool dressing and metal tempering. He also did mechanic work in a garage and on the farm in his spare time. From 1938 to 1940, he served in the Civilian Conversation Corps doing blacksmith work.

Harlin married Dorothy Alene Elliott at West Plains, MO, on 8 March 1941.

Harlin entered active service in the U.S. Army on 6 November 1942 at Jefferson Barracks, MO, during World War II and received Ordnance Basic Training. As a Private First Class he initially served as an Automotive Mechanic from January 1943 to February 1944 in the 10th Armored Division (Tiger Division) after its activation at Fort Benning, GA, in July 1942, at which time it served under General George S. Patton's Third Army. He was then promoted to Sergeant and served as a Duty NCO for 24 months at Camp Croft, SC, while serving with Headquarters & Headquarters Detachment, Section 1, Station Complement SCU 1454, 4th Service Command, Army Service Forces. During that time, he was a Range Sergeant, responsible for keeping Firing Ranges in good shape and ready for firing practice at all times. Supervised 35 men.

He was honorably discharged from the Army on 9 February 1946 at the Separation Center, Fort McPherson, GA.

Medals and Awards

Army Good Conduct Medal
American Defense Service Medal
World War II Victory Medal

Family

All three of Harlin's sons enlisted and honorably served in the military; two in the U.S. Army and one in the U.S. Air Force.

Harlin was a loving husband to his wife, Dorothy and, at the time of his death, they had been married for 63 years, 3 months, 13 days. He was also a loving father who set a shining example for his sons in regard to being a good man, husband and father.

He was a lifelong member of the Church of Christ and served as a minister and church elder for many years.

Death and Burial

Sergeant Harlin Burnett Lewis died of cancer on 21 June 2004 in Poplar Bluff, MO. He is inurned at Huddleston Cemetery in Alton, Oregon County, MO.