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Archives at The Museum of Flight


Lewis, Carol (Nicholson)

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: 1923-1987

Carol (Nicholson) Lewis was born December 15, 1923 in Oakland, California to Ralph and Patricia (Kirkpatrick) Nicholson. She grew up in Seattle, Washington, and attended the Bush School, Garfield High School, and the University of Washington. She moved among the highest social circles, and was best friends with Nancy Nordhoff [the Nordhoff family started The Bon Marche department store in Seattle].

Nancy and Carol drove to Sweetwater, Texas in 1943 to join the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs). They were assigned to Moore Air Base (Texas), Class 44-W-7. Carol also flew out of Kelly Field (Texas) during her time with the WASPs. She flew several planes during her service, including the North American AT-6 Texan and the Stearman (1927) PT-17 Kaydet.

Carol married Lester Warren Lewis III on August 15, 1944 in Florida. Lester was born August 30, 1917 in Seattle, Washington, and served in the Army Air Corps during World War II. They had three children. Carol died January 17, 1987 in Palm Desert, California. Lester died in June of 1995 in Yakima, Washington.

Found in 1 Collection or Record:

Carol (Nicholson) Lewis Collection

 Collection
Identifier: 2009-05-07
Abstract Carol (Nicholson) Lewis (1923-1987) joined the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs) in 1943 and was assigned to Moore Air Base (Texas), Class 44-W-7. The collection includes official documents, photographs, correspondence, clippings, and ephemera related to Lewis' 1943-1945 WASP service. A small amount of correspondence and ephemera concerning her marriage is also included in the collection.

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