This Military Service Page was created/owned by
SSgt Robert Bruce McClelland, Jr.
to remember
Sanders, Lewis Morgan (Lew, Ironass), Col.
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Contact Info
Home Town Elkhart, Indiana; Lillian, Alabama
Last Address Lillian, Alabama
Date of Passing Dec 22, 1984
Location of Interment Pine Rest Cemetery - Foley, Alabama
Official Badges
Unofficial Badges
Additional Information
Other Comments:
Citation for his Silver Star: Awarded for actions during World War II
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Lewis M. Sanders, United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action while serving as a Pilot with the 46th Pursuit Squadron, 15th Pursuit Group, at Wheeler Field and over the Island of Oahu, Territory of Hawaii, and waters adjacent thereto, on 7 December 1941. During the surprise attack by Japanese forces on 7 December 1941, First Lieutenant Sanders took off with one flight for the purpose of attacking the invading forces, without first securing information as to the number or type of attacking Japanese aircraft. He proceeded to patrol the vicinity of Bellows Field, where he engaged six enemy planes. Although greatly outnumbered he succeeded in shooting down one enemy aircraft. First Lieutenant Sanders' initiative, presence of mind, coolness under fire, and expert maneuvering of his plane, contributed to a large extent toward driving off this sudden, unexpected enemy air attack. General Orders: Authority: "Heroes of Pearl Harbor", Donald K. & Helen L. Ross Action Date: December 7, 1941 Service: Army Air Forces Rank: First Lieutenant Company: 46th Pursuit Squadron Regiment: 15th Pursuit Group
Aircraft/Missile Information
Specifications StatsCentral Model Bell P-39M Airacobra Length 30.15 ft | 9.19 m Width 33.99 ft | 10.36 m Height 11.84 ft | 3.61 m Engine(s) 1 x Allison V-1710-83 water-cooled engine generating 1,200hp. Empty Weight 5,611 lbs | 2,545 kg MTOW 8,400 lbs | 3,810 kg Max Speed 386 mph | 621 km/h | 335 kts Max Range 650 miles | 1,046 km Ceiling 35,991 ft | 10,970 m | 6.8 miles Climb Rate 3,333 ft/min (1,015.9 m/min) Hardpoints 2 Armament 1 x 37mm cannon mounted in the nose 2 x 12.7mm machine guns 4 x 7.62mm machine guns
Up to 500lbs of external ordnance as needed. Accommodations 1
