[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 14]
[Senate]
[Page 19062]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   REMEMBERING COLONEL LEWIS STEWART

 Mr. SHELBY. Mr. President, today I pay tribute to my good 
friend Colonel Lewis Minor Stewart, U.S. Army, Retired. Lewis passed 
away on July 18, 2009. He was a personal friend and, along with his 
family, I mourn his passing.
  Lewis was born on June 13, 1918, and raised in Marion, AL. He 
graduated from the Marion Military Institute and attended the 
University of Alabama School of Law. In 1941, Lewis joined the Army. He 
was a proud soldier whose tours during World War II included fighting 
with the 261st Infantry, 65th Division, landing in LeHarve, France, and 
ending the war in Austria. Lewis went on to serve as regimental staff 
officer and then the commander of 24th Squadron, 4th Constabulary 
Regiment in Linz, Austria, during the tensions of the Berlin airlift. 
He also served 16 months in Korea during the early occupation.
  He was awarded several prestigious honors including the Legion of 
Merit, Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, Combat Infantry Badge, Expert 
Infantry Badge, Army Commendation Medal, Army of Occupation Medal, 
World War II Medal, American Campaign Ribbon, National Defense Medal 
with Oak Leaf Cluster, Korean Service Medal, Korean Conflict Ribbon, 
and the Middle Eastern Campaign Ribbon. Lewis was also selected for the 
Infantry OCS Hall of Fame for obtaining field grade rank starting from 
the rank of private.
  After a distinguished military career, in 1972 Lewis retired at the 
rank of colonel from the Army. Following his retirement, Lewis returned 
to Marion and remained very active in the community. He served as 
administrator for the local Public Housing Authority, formed Stewart 
Real Estate, rehabilitated two historic homes and a Marion commercial 
building, served as director of special services for the district 
attorney, 4th Judicial Circuit, AL. He was also deeply involved in the 
American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Perry County 
Historical Society, and the Lions Club. As an active member of St. 
Wilfred's Episcopal Church, Lewis served as senior warden of the Vestry 
and led the revival of the church's historic cemetery.
  Lewis is loved and will be missed by his two sons Lewis Minor 
Stewart, Jr. and SG Matthew Rebel Stewart, U.S. Army, Retired, as well 
as his four grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and two sisters. 
Lewis was an inspiration to many and will be remembered as an 
outstanding husband, father, soldier, churchman, community contributor, 
friend, and leader.
  I ask the entire Senate to join me in recognizing and honoring the 
life of my great friend, Lewis Minor Stewart.

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