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 fast twin-engine medium bomber with a reputation for demanding exceptional skill — a challenge Lewnes readily met.(4) During his first weeks in England, he flew a series of low-risk "shakedown" missions to calibrate bomb sights and coordinate formation procedures. He began his combat career on March 7, 1944, co-piloting B-26 42-95916, "Piccadilly Willy" (K9-H) under Lt. Wilbur Kolberg during a raid on Conches airfield in France. This was the 344th Bomb Group’s second mission, and the 36 participating aircraft executed the attack with such precision that they were commended by the 99th Bombardment Wing. Lewnes and Kolberg’s crew flew in position 1-1-2, close to the lead, highlighting their precision and reliability.(5) Lewnes's flying skill and dependability soon made him a consistent presence in forward elements of formations. He completed sorties over strategic targets throughout France, including bridges, airfields, and transportation hubs. His participation in increasingly complex missions helped pave the way for the Allied breakout from Normandy and the advance across northern France.(6) Among the targets Lewnes bombed were German rail junctions in Caen, Vire, and Dreux—critical to halting enemy reinforcements moving toward the Normandy front.

D-Day – Operation Overlord

On June 6, 1944, Lt. Lewnes participated in the historic D-Day assault. Flying once again aboard Piccadilly Willy as co-pilot to Lt. Kolberg, their crew was assigned to bomb coastal artillery positions near La Madeleine on the Cherbourg Peninsula. The 344th Bomb Group led the Ninth Air Force’s medium bomber force that morning, with 56 B-26 Marauders departing at precisely 0412 hours.(7) Lewnes flew in position 1-3-5 in the first box. The bombing run commenced between 3,200 and 6,700 feet at 0609 — just minutes before the first wave of Allied infantry landed on Utah Beach. Despite moderate but inaccurate flak, the mission was a success. Enemy coastal defenses were neutralized, contributing to the survivability of the landing forces.(8) Their plane was loaded with sixteen 250-lb general-purpose bombs, which were released on time and on target, according to the mission debrief. After D-Day, Lewnes continued flying regularly as the Allies pushed deeper into occupied France. He later joined the crew of "Georgia’s On My Mind" (B-26 42-95894, K9-P), flying with pilot Lt. DeFord. On August 15, 1944, they attacked fuel storage tanks at Chantilly, near Paris. Lewnes flew in position 1-1-4, and their aircraft dropped a full bomb load from 11,500 feet, despite haze and light flak. 9 Over the course of his deployment, Lewnes completed 65 combat missions, qualifying for the Air Medal with twelve Oak Leaf Clusters, one for every five sorties flown over enemy territory. This total reflects his full combat tour and solidifies his place among the most experienced Marauder pilots of the 344th.(10)

Tragic Final Flight

Upon completing his tour, 1st Lt. Lewnes returned to the United States in late 1944 and was assigned to Tyndall Field, Florida, to train other pilots. On January 27, 1945, while flying B-26 42-107496, he took off from runway nine at 12:20 p.m. At 12:25, he radioed the tower requesting an emergency landing. Ground personnel observed the aircraft trailing smoke and fire from the right wing. Seconds later, it crashed into the bay, exploding on impact and killing all on board.(11) Witnesses described a “trail of fire” extending from the right wingtip before impact. The right landing gear had melted, indicating prolonged exposure to extreme heat mid-air. The investigation concluded that a part of the right engine nacelle assembly had broken off, possibly igniting fuel vapors in the wing tanks. The crash was attributed to a combination of mechanical failure and pending compliance with a Technical Order concerning fuel filler gaskets.(12) There was no evidence of pilot error. The news devastated his family and community. His father received the dreaded telegram from the War Department, and Annapolis Mayor William McCready ordered all stores to close during the funeral on February 3, 1945, held at St. Mary’s Church. A military guard of honor from Fort Meade stood vigil as 1st Lt. Lewnes was laid to rest in Annapolis, his hometown.(13) His funeral was one of the most attended services in Annapolis that year. A full honor guard, a bugler playing Taps, and the ceremonial folding of the flag marked the solemn occasion. The son of immigrants, he rose from a tight-knit Hellenic community to become a highly skilled combat aviator who risked — and ultimately gave — his life for the defense of liberty. He represents the best of both nations: the courage of an American airman and the enduring spirit of a Greek patriot.