Private First Class
United States Marine Corps Reserve
Lewis Simon Cox, the son of James L. and Mary C. Cox, was born on 5 January 1924, in Davenport, Iowa. He was Killed-In-Action on the Island of Okinawa on 22 April 1945.
Lewis attended Scared Heart School and Saint Ambrose Academy from 1939 to 1943.
As World War II heated up, all males 18 years of age were subject to the Draft. Instead of letting the Draft Board determine which branch of service you would be placed in, it was a popular thing to enlist in the branch that you were interested in. In early 1943, Lewis enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. In March 1943, Lewis and his brother Merlin, were called to active duty, at the same time. Lewis went to Camp Pendleton, California for basic training while Merlin went to Atlantic City, New Jersey. That was the last time Merlin saw Lewis.
In January 1944, Lewis was shipped to the South Pacific. During this transfer, Lewis’ father died. However, under strict wartime orders, the ships had to maintain radio silence. Therefore, Lewis could not be contacted and would not learn until May of his father’s death until he received a letter from his mother.
During the evening of 28 April 1945, Lewis and three other men were operating a switching central which was located in an isolated spot in the northern half of Okinawa. A Japanese patrol infiltrated the lines and attacked Lewis’ position with grenades and small arms fire. Re-enforcements arrived to late. Lewis and two others were killed by the out numbered Japanese. The three were taken to the Sixth Marine Division Cemetery, near Yontan Airfield on Okinawa, were a memorial service was conducted on 23 April.
Lewis second from the right.
(Photo courtesy Merlin Cox)
Lewis somewhere in the South Pacific
(Photo courtesy Merlin Cox)
Survivors besides his mother include a brother Merlin J. Cox (a Private in the United States Army at Warrensburg, Missouri); sisters Rita M. and Bernice M. Cox and Irma Ewoldt.
Private First Class Lewis Simon Cox, United States Marine Corps Reserve, is buried in Davenport ‘s Mount Calvary Cemetery.
Among his awards and decorations is the Purple Heart, Asiatic/Pacific Theater Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Navy Unit Commendation, and the Marksman Medal.
Source of Information:
1. Saint Ambrose Academy school newspaper, The Saint Ambrose Academy News, 20 April 1944, page 2.
2. Saint Ambrose Academy school newspaper, The Saint Ambrose Academy News, 4 May 1945, page 1.
3. Davenport Democrat and Times, 29 April 1945, page 7.
4. National Archives, World War II Honor List of Dead and Missing Army and Army Air Forces Personnel for the State of Iowa.
5. National World War II Memorial veteran’s registry; http://www.wwiimemorial.com/.
6. Letter and pictures from Mr. Merlin Cox dated 27 January 2004. Merlin is Lewis’ brother.
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