Gary Lee Lewis

Gary L. Lewis was born in Keokuk and grew up in Fort Madison. He was a member of the Trinity Methodist Church and attended the Fort Madison school district. Lewis enlisted into the Army in July 1967. After training he began a 12 month tour in South Vietnam on June 8, 1968. PVT Lewis served with the 173rd Airborne Brigade as an infantryman. Three months into his tour, PVT Lewis’ unit participated in Operation MacArthur in the Quang Duc Province, South Vietnam. During the operation Lewis was killed in action. He received multiple fragmentation wounds inflicted by the enemy while stationed in a bunker complex outside the Duc Lap Airfield. PVT Lewis’ body was returned to Iowa and buried at the Keokuk National Cemetery. He was 22 years old at the time of his death and he left behind a wife and two daughters.