First Lieutenant Lewter was the pilot of a F-84G Thunderjet fighter with the 311th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 58th Fighter-Bomber Group. On 27 September 1952, while on a combat mission, his aircraft exploded as he made a low-level bomb run. He was listed as Missing in Action and was presumed dead on 25 September 1953.

For his leadership and valor, First Lieutenant Lewter was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Purple Heart, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Korean War Service Medal.