Lewis Roy Baumann

West Point, 1949

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Terry Powers on January 2, 2023:

Lewis Roy Baumann joined the United States Army at age 18, in 1943. After initial training, he entered the West Point Preparatory Program and joined the Class of 1949 after VE Day. He received his commission in the United States Air Force, but transferred to the Infantry after washing out of flight training. After graduation, he married Patricia McKie. He was ordered to the Far East in time for the Korean War and was assigned to the 7th Infantry Division in Japan. Landing at Inchon with the 32d Infantry, he is mentioned in the book, From West Point to the Yalu by his classmate Harry Maihafer as being shocked by the poor physical condition of the troops. During his first combat, he led a night patrol to make contact with the Marines under enemy and friendly fire. In March 1951, as the only unwounded platoon leader left in G Company, he was assigned as battalion motor officer. After two weeks, he returned to his company as executive officer, then assumed command of F Company. He remained at the front for five months of patrolling, reconnaissance and offensive near the Hwachon Reservoir. In August 1951, he was severely wounded. He left Korea highly decorated and was promoted to captain after only two years. After hospitalization at Fort Dix, he commanded a training company and volunteered for the Far East Command. He was assigned as advisor to the Japanese Self-Defense Force and was later transferred to the 1st Cavalry Division in northern Japan as company commander. Returning to the United States and the Infantry Advanced Course, he joined the faculty at Fort Benning, where he remained until selected for Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth. He earned a master's degree in mechanical engineering at Georgia Tech, which was followed by a position with the Office Chief of Research and Development (OCRD), the Pentagon. After attending the Army War College in 1966, he commanded the 2d Battalion, 18th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division in Vietnam. After one year in the Office of the Assistant Vice Chief of Staff of the Army, he returned to Vietnam. From 1969 to 1970, he was Deputy Commander, 1st Brigade, 5th Mechanized Infantry Division, in the northern part of South Vietnam. At Fort Carson for two years, he commanded the 1st Brigade, 4th Mechanized Infantry Division. His final five years of active service, in the Pentagon, were in OCRD and Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations and Plans. In his 30 years of service, he received five Silver Stars, five Legions of Merit, three Bronze Stars, two Purple Hearts, four Air Medals, two Distinguished Flying Crosses, the Soldiers Medal, two Combat Infantryman Badges and more. After his retirement from the United States Army in 1979, he became a member of the Virginia State Air Pollution Control Board for 11 years. He became Assistant Regional Director for northern Virginia, then Regional Director, retiring in 1990. He was a member of the Orange Hunt Civic Association and the Church of the Nativity in Burke where he was a lay Eucharistic minister. He died on December 13, 1995 of a heart attack while horseback riding at Great Falls Horse Center and died instantly. He was predeceased by his son, Patrick and was interred with him in Fairfax Memorial Park. Survivors included his wife, Pat of Springfield, Virginia; two daughters of Fairfax and Arlington; one son of Fairfax Station and three grandchildren. Sources: The Washington Post, December 24, 1995 and United States Military Academy Association of Graduates memorial. (Find A Grave)

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