John Lewis poses for a military photo. Lewis served in the military for 20 years from 1954-1974.

John Lewis

Bella Niems, Web Editor-In-Chief

Lewis poses for a military photo. Lewis served in the military for 20 years from 1954-1974.

Name: John Lewis

Age: 87

Period of Service: 1954-1974

Branch: Navy

Occupation: Naval Aviator, specially trained in submarine warfare.

Deployment locations: Kodiak, Alaska, Pensacola, Virginia, Washington D.C.

What made you join the military?

“I got sick and tired of school,” Lewis said.

He was no longer interested in college where he attended for two years and he was given the option to take flight training which turned out to be the best decision he had ever made.

Lewis stands with his team in front of an airplane. Lewis held the title of a naval aviator during his service. (Photo Courtesy of John Lewis)

What impact has your service had on you?

The biggest thing is that Lewis was able to make a living out of his service.

“I would do it all over again if called upon,” Lewis shared.

What is your best memory, or most memorable experience while serving?

The experience that stood out the most was when Lewis went face to face with Russian submarines after detecting them during the Cuban crisis. Lewis got them to resurface and turn back around before starting WWIII.

Comments (0)

The Sage intends for this area to be used to foster healthy, thought-provoking discussion. Comments are expected to adhere to our standards and to be respectful and constructive. As such, we do not permit the use of profanity, foul language, personal attacks, or the use of language that might be interpreted as libelous. Comments are reviewed and must be approved by a moderator to ensure that they meet these standards. The Sage does not allow anonymous comments, and The Sage requires a valid email address. The email address will not be displayed but will be used to confirm your comments.

Share your thoughts...

All The Sage Picks Reader Picks Sort: Newest