Senators third baseman Buddy Lewis was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross on December 28, 1944 for his service in the China Burma India Theater. During World War II, Lewis flew more than 500 missions for the U.S. Army Air Forces as a transport pilot. Lewis was released by the Army on July 20, 1945 and would return to baseball a week later.
There is a story in one of Bill James’ Historical Abstracts, and I am working from memory here, how Lewis buzzed the field at Griffith Stadium while piloting his C-130, which earned him a quiet word from his superior officers.
I love that! Sounds like he was a character. Thanks for sharing.