17169 BAUMANN, LEWIS ROY
28 May 1925 - 13 December 1995
Died in Reston, Virginia
Interred in Fairfax Memorial Park, Fairfax, Virginia
Aged 70 years.

LEWIS ROY BAUMANN was a hero, although, he would not have agreed. The genuine modesty of his entry in the Register of Graduates does not record detail of battlefield service nor of multiple decorations. In his 30 years of duty, he received five Silver Stars, five Legions of Merit, three Bronze Stars, two Purple Hearts, four Air Medals, two Distinguished Flying Crosses, the Soldiers Medal, two Combat Infantryman Badges, and others. Military service came naturally for Lew. His dad, a master sergeant in the Army Band at what is now Ft. McNair, denied Lew permission to enter service at 17, urging him toward a commission. At 18, in 1943, Lew volunteered. After initial training, he entered the West Point Preparatory Program, joining the Class of '49 after VE Day.

Commissioned in the Air Force, Lew transferred to the Infantry after washing out of flight training. Ordered to the Far East in time for the Korean War, he was assigned to the 7th Infantry Division in Japan. Landing at Inchon with the 32d Infantry, Lew was recorded in Classmate Harry Maihafer's Book, From West Point to the Yalu, as having been shocked by the poor physical condition of the troops, some of whose discarded equipment Lew recovered and carried. In Lew's first combat, he led a night patrol to make contact with the Marines, eluding both enemy and friendly fire in the process.

Classmate Don Gower, Artillery forward observer with Lew's Company G, testifies to Lew's rigorous performance when Lew took the rifle platoon of wounded classmate Curt Anders. Curt called Lew "a pure fighter, solid soldier, cool, quiet, and unassuming." In actions near Seoul, including an assault crossing of the Han River, Lew was awarded the Silver Star. He lead his platoon in the attack, saving two of his wounded men. The 7th Division moved to Pusan, embarking to invade North Korea's east coast. Landing at Iwon, the regiment moved north toward the Chosin Reservoir in the midst of the Chinese intervention. Considered for reassignment within the division, Lew declined, exemplifying his devotion to his unit and soldiers. As in all his service, he showed a preference for being with troops.

Withdrawn from Hungnam with X Corps, 7th Division entered the line east of Eighth Army. In March 1951, as the only unwounded platoon leader left in G Company, Lew was assigned as battalion motor officer. After two weeks, he returned to his company as executive officer, then assumed command of F Company. He remained at the front for five months of patrolling, reconnaissance, and offensive near the Hwachon Reservoir. During a reconnaissance in force, Lew was severely wounded in August 1951, ending his outstanding Korean War service. He left Korea highly decorated and promoted to captain after only two years, with his duty characterized by having the highest concern for missions, balanced with the welfare and safety of his men.

After hospitalization at Ft. Dix, Lew commanded a training company. That duty encouraged him to volunteer for the Far East Command. Lew's wife Pat remembers thinking Lew sought to get back into the Korean War. Instead, he was assigned as advisor to the Japanese Self-Defense Force. Preference for troop duty led to a transfer to the 1st Cavalry Division in northern Japan as company commander. Upon returning to the States and the Infantry Advanced Course, he joined the Ft. Benning faculty, staying until selected for CGSC at Ft. Leavenworth.

Two years at Georgia Tech earned Lew a master's degree in mechanical engineering, followed by utilization in combat materiel, OCRD, the Pentagon. From the Army War College in 1966, he commanded the 2d Battalion, 18th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division in Viet Nam. Classmate Tiger Howell, with the 11 th Armored Cavalry squadron attached to the 1st Infantry Division, applauded Lew's performance, quoting GEN Hollingsworth, Assistant Division Commander, on Lew's flawless service. For his service in Viet Nam, Lew received the Legion of Merit, Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and Combat Infantryman Badge.

After one year in the Office of the Assistant Vice Chief of Staff of the Army, Lew again went to Viet Nam. During 1969-70, he was Deputy Commander, 1st Brigade, 5th Mechanized Infantry Division, in the northern part of South Viet Nam. A Legion of Merit, two Silver Stars, the Distinguished Flying Cross, a number of Air Medals, and the Bronze Star once again recognized his heroism and superior performance. At Ft. Carson for two years, he commanded the 1st Brigade, 4th Mechanized Infantry Division. His final five years of active service, in the Pentagon, were in OCRD, and ODCSOPS.

In retirement, Lew concentrated his energy with the Virginia State Air Pollution Control Board, where he put his engineering and leadership skills to work for eleven years. He became Assistant Regional Director for northern Virginia, then Regional Director. His work there was vigorous and meticulous, part of a continuous effort to raise standards and reduce environmental pollution. Pat, whom Lew had married at West Point in July 1949, remained in Orange Hunt Estates and taught school while Lew worked. Lew was active in the community, civic association, neighborhood watch, and in the Catholic Church of the Nativity in Burke, VA.

Lew was bright and quick, methodical and innovative, wryly self-deprecating, and had a great sense of humor. At West Point, he skied, played soccer, boxed, shot skeet, swam, played racquetball, and ran. With their children - Robert, Patrick, and Catherine - he was temperate and even-handed; loved for his humor, great affection, and interest in them and in their children.

Lew had a heart attack while riding horseback and died instantly. Years before, Pat and Lew lost their son Patrick, and Lew is interred with him in Fairfax Memorial Park. He always was at peace, in his youth, family, and his service. It dearly can be said, "Well done."

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