Lillyman Frank Lewis

Name:

Frank Lewis Lillyman

Rank:

Lieutenant Colonel

Serial Number:

Unit:

502nd Parachute infantry Regiment

Date of Death:

1971-03-06

State:

New York

Cemetery:

Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Arlington County, Virginia, USA

Plot:

Section 53

Row:

Grave:

Site 2546

Decoration:

Distinguished Flying Cross, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters

Comments:

Frank Lewis Lillyman was born on April 29, 1915, in Binghamton, New York. A paratrooper and commanding officer of the 101st Pathfinder Company (Provisional), 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, he was the first soldier of the Allied invasion to hit French soil just after midnight on June 6, 1944. After jumping out of a C47, piloted by Lieutenant Colonel Joel Crouch, Lillyman led an 18-man unit onto Utah Beach. His leadership and bravery earned him multiple decorations, including the Distinguished Service Cross.

Lillyman went on to have a long military career, which began in 1933. First serving in Hawaii and China followed by recruiting in Syracuse. He eventually went on to serve in the Korean and Vietnam wars before retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1968. He passed away on March 6, 1971, and is now buried in the Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Arlington County, Virginia, USA.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, www.cnyhistory.org/