World War II Honoree

Lewis O. Aikey

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Mifflin County, Pennsylvania

Honored By

David Eckert

Relationship

Cousin

KILLED OCTOBER 1944 IN LUXEMBOURG. PRIVATE 1ST CLASS, 461ST ANTI-AIRCRAFT ARTILLERY AUTOMATIC WEAPONS BATTALION, OCTOBER 1944. THE 461ST WAS ASSIGNED TO PROTECT A BRIDGE BUILT BY THE U.S. ARMY OVER THE SAUER RIVER BETWEEN LUXEMBOURG AND GERMANY. WHEN A GERMAN COUNTERATTACK FORCED THE FORWARD AMERICAN TROOPS TO WITHDRAW BACK INTO LUXEMBOURG, GUARDING THE BRIDGE BECAME PARAMOUNT. HE WAS ASSIGNED TO DEFEND THE BRIDGE, MORTALLY WOUNDED AND HIS HALF-TRACK DESTROYED BY ENEMY FIRE. HE RECEIVED POSTHUMOUS SILVER STAR. AIKEY BARRACKS AT FORT BLISS IS NAMED IN HONOR OF LEWIS AIKEY.