Verona native, survivor of WWII's Battle of the Bulge, feted on 102nd birthday
A Verona native who survived the Battle of the Bulge during World War II was honored by the community Monday as he marked his 102nd birthday.
John Diamond Lewis was honored with an American flag, an American Legion hat and two celebratory gatherings at Logan Place, a senior living community in Lower Burrell.
After a festive lunch celebration that included a Frank Sinatra impersonator, Lewis was honored again in the evening with a party attended by more than 50 people.
American Legion Post 868 Chaplain Paul Barton offered a prayer in Lewis’ honor, stressing Lewis’ service to his country and describing his legacy to future generations.
“Standing next to living history that made my generation possible fills me with tremendous gratitude and makes me more responsible for the life I’m living,” Barton said.
WWII Army Veteran John Lewis celebrates his 102nd birthday Monday at Logan Place in New Kensington, PA. Lewis fought in The Battle of the Bulge and was awarded a Purple Heart. @VNDNews @TribLIVE @USArmy pic.twitter.com/zG0AAcSxXL
— Reporter Joyce Hanz (@hanz_joyce) March 25, 2024
Karen Affrica of Allegheny Township said she visits her father regularly at Logan Place and was thrilled to see him smiling and enjoying his birthday.
“I think he’s pretty worn out from the day,” Affrica said. “I’m touched they’re honoring him because the veterans did so much for our country, and they knew what hard times were like.”
“He’s a lively guy for 102, and we surprised him with the veteran recognition,” said Linda Laurinatis of New Kensington, chaplain of the Eagles Aerie 533 Ladies Auxiliary.
Lewis served in the Army and was injured during the Battle of the Bulge.
“Everyone in his platoon died except my father,” Affrica said.
Lewis’ son, Gus Lewis of Clearwater Beach, Fla., recalled how his father gets choked up reliving that fateful battle day.
“My father was a very quiet man and never really liked to talk about the war — said it brought back too many sad memories,” Gus Lewis said.
Lewis suffered a severe leg injury during the battle and was awarded a Purple Heart for his bravery while recovering in a British hospital.
The impact when Lewis was blown out of a foxhole required more than 100 stitches to his left leg and several months of hospitalizations in France and England before he could return to the U.S.
A Purple Heart remains in his safety deposit box.
“My father didn’t talk about it much. He kept silent about it, and as he got older he would talk about it,” Affrica said. “I think it was sad for him to lose all of his friends he lost in battle. He recalled a trench and the gunshots from the machine guns, and the surrounding pine trees were being blown away like matchsticks.”
Lewis quit attending Verona High School to work during the Great Depression to help his father run the family grocery store. He also worked in a butcher shop in Verona and did odd jobs, joining the Army when he was 20.
After the war, Lewis returned to Verona to raise his family and worked as a crane operator for Blawnox Steel, retiring when he was 64.
Lewis is of Greek ancestry and has 13 grandchildren.
He was married for 67 years to Katherine Lewis, who died in 2009.
Lewis said he still misses his wife. They raised three children: Karen Affrica, Gus Lewis and Sandy Patrinos of the Chicago area.
“He says he dreams about her and says he feels like she’s with him,” Affrica said.
Lewis moved into Logan Place at age 99 and uses an electric wheelchair to get around.
“Thank you,” Lewis said simply to the crowd after he was serenaded with a birthday song.
Joyce Hanz is a native of Charleston, S.C. and is a features reporter covering the Pittsburgh region. She majored in media arts and graduated from the University of South Carolina. She can be reached at jhanz@triblive.com
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