Major General Edward M. Lewis

Major General Edward M. Lewis commanded the US Army, Pacific (Hawaiian Department) from January 1925 to August 1927, his last major assignment before retiring. A graduate of the US Military Academy in 1886, he gained his commission in the Infantry. In addition to his combat experience, he helped relieve the city of San Francisco after the 1906 earthquake.

In addition to his degree from West Point, Lewis studied at DePauw University and the University of California when he taught military science and tactics at each institution. He earned an LLD degree from DePauw in 1919.

Lewis saw action in the Spanish-American War and the Philippine Insurrection as adjutant of the 20th Infantry. During World War I he commanded US troops in Paris before commanding the 30th Division at war's end. From then until his Hawaiian command, he commanded various posts throughout the US.

Among the decorations for Lewis are the Distinguished Service Medal and the Belgian Order of Leopold and Croix de Guerre. He died on 27 July 1949.