Jacques Lewis
Jacques Pierre Lewis (1 March 1919 – 25 July 2024) was a French veteran of the Normandy landings. He is believed to be the last surviving French veteran of the American-led landings.
Biography
[edit]Lewis was born on 1 March 1919 in Caudéran.[1] After studying at Janson-de-Sailly High School,[2] he started studying law at Sciences Po.[3] When war broke out in September 1939, he joined the French army, becoming a student officer. After training in Auvours, he participated in the fights on the Loire and Fontainebleau.[2]
He fled to Spain in December 1942,[4] crossing the Pyrenees on foot. He was arrested in Pamplona and imprisoned by the Franco regime.[3] He managed to escape and joined Free France in London in July 1943, after crossing to the United States on a boat flying the flag of Liberia.[5]
With the rank of second lieutenant, he participated in the Normandy landings in the 2nd American Armoured Division, led by General Edward H. Brooks; he was selected because of his command of English.[6] On June 6, 1944, he landed on Utah Beach. He participated in the fights for the liberation of the village of Carentan, which lasted six days.[3] He then fought in the Ardennes and then in Germany, helping to repatriate French prisoners of war.[6] He ultimately obtained the rank of commander.[7]
After the war, Lewis worked in the cosmetics industry. He remained discreet about his experience as a soldier.[8] From April 2018 until his death, he was a resident and dean of the Institut national des Invalides.[6] He participated in the commemorations of the Landing, especially in June 2019, on the occasion of the 75th anniversary, where he was joined by Léon Gautier. On June 6, 2024, he was present at the ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the event, under the Arc de Triomphe, in the presence of American President Joe Biden.[3] He insisted that he be taken to the event in his wheelchair to participate in the ceremony and greet Biden and Macron.[5]
He died on July 25, 2024, at the age of 105.[9] the President of France Emmanuel Macron paid tribute to him in a statement published by the Élysée on July 30. A ceremony was held on 1 August at Saint-Louis-des-Invalides Cathedral.[3] He is believed to be the last living French veteran of the American landings on D-Day.[5]
References
[edit]- ^ "CAUDERAN 1 E 27 - Registre des actes de naissance de Caudéran, 1917-1919 - 1917-1919 : Site officiel des Archives de Bordeaux Métropole". Archives Bordeaux Métropole.
- ^ a b "Disparition de Jacques Lewis". elysee.fr (in French). 2024-07-30. Retrieved 2024-07-31.
- ^ a b c d e "Le résistant français Jacques Lewis, héros du Débarquement, est mort à l'âge de 105 ans". Le HuffPost (in French). 2024-07-30. Retrieved 2024-07-30.
- ^ "Jacques Pierre Lewis - Les Français Libres". www.francaislibres.net.
- ^ a b c Davison, Phil (August 8, 2024). "Jacques Lewis, French Veteran of U.S. Landing on D-Day, Dies at 105". The New York Times – via NYTimes.com.
- ^ a b c "Jacques Lewis, vétéran du Débarquement, est mort à l'âge de 105 ans, annonce l'Elysée". Franceinfo (in French). 2024-07-30. Retrieved 2024-07-31.
- ^ "Mort du Français Jacques Lewis qui avait participé au Débarquement". BFMTV (in French). Retrieved 2024-07-31.
- ^ ""J'ai débarqué le 6 juin 1944" : le témoignage exceptionnel d'un vétéran français". TF1 INFO (in French). 2019-06-06. Retrieved 2024-07-31.
- ^ "Jacques Lewis, l'un des derniers survivants du Débarquement en Normandie, est mort". Paris Normandie (in French). 2024-07-30. Retrieved 2024-07-31.