Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Sergeant

Unit:

No. 109 Squadron, Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

March 11th, 1941

Citation:
"In November, 1940, Sergeant Lewin was the captain of an aircraft on a night bombing mission. Shortly after take off the aircraft began to sink and crashed into a hillside where it burst into flames. Sergeant Lewin extricated himself and saw three of his crew of four climbing out of the escape hatch. He ordered them to run clear. He then ran round the blazing wing in which full petrol tanks were burning and crawled under it to rescue his injured second pilot. Despite his own injuries—a cracked kneecap and severe contusions on the face and legs—he dragged and carried the pilot some 40 yards from the aircraft to a hole in the ground, where he lay on him just as the bombs exploded. This superbly gallant deed was performed in the dark under most difficult conditions and in the certain knowledge that the bombs and petrol tanks would explode."