Lewis E. Milks was born on October 22, 1924 in Sioux City, Woodbury County, Iowa. He resided in Woodbury County, Iowa prior to the war. He enlisted in the Army in April 8, 1943 at Camp Dodge, Herrold, Iowa. He was noted, at the time of his enlistment, as being employed in printing and publishing and also as divorced, with dependents. He served as a Staff Sergeant and a Gunner on the B-17G #44-6174, 816th Bomber Squadron, 483rd Bomber Group, U.S. Air Force during World War II.

B-17G #44-6174 took off from Sterparone, Italy on July 18, 1944 on a bombing mission over Memmingen, Germany. Prior to "bombs away" they, along with 6 other B-17's, were attacked by an overwhelming number of German fighter aircraft. B-17G #44-6174, along with other B-17's, were shot down and crashed near Memmingen. He is now buried in the Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial, Saint-Avold, Departement de la Moselle, Lorraine, France.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com