Thomas John Lewnes was born on June 6, 1924, in Brooklyn, New York, to Greek immigrant parents John Peter Lewnes and Anna B. Sporay. His father, originally from Arna, Laconia, had emigrated to the United States seeking opportunity and stability. He settled in Maryland, where the family became well-respected members of the Annapolis community. The Hellenic values of honor, service, and sacrifice were deeply rooted in Thomas’s upbringing.(1) He often helped his father at the family café in Annapolis, developing a strong work ethic and a deep appreciation for both his Greek roots and American values. He graduated from Annapolis High School in 1942 and enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Forces that same June. After initial training, he was accepted into the Aviation Cadet Program, passing his physical qualifications in December 1942 and July 1943.(2) He received his pilot wings and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant at Altus Army Air Field, Oklahoma, in October 1943.(3) Lewnes trained on twin-engine aircraft like the AT-10 and B-25, excelling especially in instrument navigation and night flying—skills that would serve him well over France. Assigned to the 344th Bomb Group (Medium), 494th Bomb Squadron, 2nd Lt. Lewnes arrived in England in early 1944 with the Ninth Air Force. The group was stationed at RAF Stansted (Station 169) and flew the Martin B-26 Marauder, a ...

 

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