Updating the Shrine of Memory: Private Charles T. Lewin

Today we added the name of Private Charles T. Lewin to our Shrine of Memory: 20th Century.

In conducting research for our upcoming exhibit, “D+80: Virginians in the Normandy Invasion,” Kyndall Drumheller, Assistant Director of Education, discovered the name of an Army Private who needed to be added to the walls of the Shrine of Memory.

Charles T. Lewin was born in Portsmouth City, Virginia on December 16,1916. He was employed as an electrician at the Norfolk Navy Yard before entering the U.S. Army in Norfolk County (now Chesapeake). He served in the European Theater with the 111th Field Artillery Battalion, 29th Division.

On June 29, 1944, PVT Charles Lewin was killed in action in France and is buried at the Normandy American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, France.

We are fortunate to be able to correct the record.

This week, Private Lewin’s name was added by Bishop Stone and Metal Arts to its rightful place on the wall of the Shrine of Memory and is now engraved in glass alongside the nearly 12,000 names of Virginians who have been killed in action since the beginning of World War II.

At the Virginia War Memorial, we strive for accuracy as we share the stories of those who have served. We are honored to be able to make this update, and keep Charles Lewin’s name–and the names of all Virginians who made the ultimate sacrifice–alive in our memory. 

Photos: John Henley Photography