Chipper M. Lewis was born February 28, 1961 in Edmonds, WA the son of Benjamin Franklin Lewis. Chip graduated from Glenwood School in Phenix City, Alabama where he was a letterman in golf, basketball. Chip began formulating his natural leadership skills in the Junior Civitan International service and Junior Achievement organizations and excelled in the Math Club.

Chip receive an appointment to West Point from Senator Sam Nunn of Georgia’s 3rdDistrict, joined the Class of 1983, and rose to the rank of Cadet Lieutenant. In his extracurricular time, Chip was the Weight Training Supervisor, a member of the Russian Club and BS&L seminar, but most importantly he excelled in the Tactics Club where he hone his combat skills. It was no surprise to us that Chip chose the Infantry branch.

Chip had many assignments early on in his career—including Company Commander of 3rd Battalion, 41st Infantry; Company Team and Battle Staff Trainer at the National Training Center in Ft. Irwin, CA; Chief of Training for the Eighth United States Army in South Korea; Battalion Executive Officer of 2nd Brigade/3rd Infantry Division at Ft. Stewart, GA and Executive Officer to the Commanding General of First United States Army at Ft. Gillem, GA. He also completed numerous operational deployments to the Middle East.

In 2001 Chip was selected to be Battalion Commander of 2nd Battalion, 47th Infantry at Ft. Benning, GA. Chip trained over 5,000 soldiers for combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2006, COL Lewis deployed to Iraq and served as the Senior Combat Advisor to the Iraqi Commandos and National Police for the Iraqi Assistance Group as well as Chief Advisor to the National Information and Intelligence Agency. Chip’s combat leadership and tactical war planning was crucial during the Iraq surge. He attended the Naval War College in Newport, RI where he graduated with distinction in 2006 with a Masters in National Security and Strategic Studies. In 2007, he was promoted to Colonel and served as Chief of ISAF Operations and Plans at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe in Mons, Belgium.

He was selected to be the Brigade Commander of 174th Infantry Brigade at Ft. Drum, NY in 2009. He retired in 2011 and settled in Peachtree City, GA. He became an Operations Analyst and Consultant for the Department of Defense with Booz Allen Hamilton in Atlanta.

COL Chipper Lewis was known for his intellectual insight and brilliant tactical and strategic war planning. He was an outstanding combat Commander and deeply cared about all of his soldiers and his Country that he sworn an oath to protect.

Chip and his wife Daisy were very happily married for 31 years. They had two beautiful daughters Christina and Amanda as well as two wonderful grandchildren, Teagan and Rylee.

Chip loved the game of football, and was an Atlanta Falcons season ticket holder. Football was more than a game to Chip and his daughter Christina. Football was their father-daughter time together. In fact, after his passing, Christina made sure to finish out the season to honor her father by attending the remaining games. Chip was an avid Master Genealogist and active member of the Descendants of the Mayflower Society. He often participated with the Legion XI Roman Military Reenactment Society and played golf occasionally at Planterra Ridge golf course.

However, Chip never really came home from the war and eventually took his own life on September 29, 2014. Daisy met Chip when they were 18 years old. She knew him better than anyone – she was his best friend. However, after his last deployment, Daisy could sense that he had changed. As a tribute to his life and in hopes that she could help other families, Daisy requested that donations be made in memoriam to Healing 4 Heroes, Inc. As with far too many heroes before him, Chipper was laid to rest with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia surrounded by family, classmates, and friends.

Regardless of his honors he amassed or the accolades that were bestowed on him, Chip always remembered the singular key to his success. At his outgoing, 174th Infantry Brigade change of command ceremony, Chip remarked of his soldiers “Your success is mostly dependent on those around you, and it’s clearly present here.”

Chip was known for his intellectual insight and brilliance in the art of tactical and strategic war planning. In 2011, Chip was presented with the Order of Saint Maurice—PRIMICERIUS—for his significant and lasting contributions to the Infantry.  However, Chip’s illustrious career can best summarized by direct quotes of some of the Army most distinguished leaders:

“Chip Lewis is a talented combat leader who constantly leads from the front.” –General Raymond T. Odierno -- 38th Chief of Staff of the Army.

“Even with all of his amazing success in Iraq, Chip Lewis remains the consummate team player and an officer of unparalleled professional expertise who improves everything and everyone around him. I would fight to serve with him again in the future.” – MG Dana J.H. Pittard -- Joint Force Land Component Commander-Iraq

“His leadership style has created more successful soldiers than any one man I know.” – General Paul D. Eaton -- Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Training, United States Army Training and Doctrine Command

“Tough, standards focused, and combat savvy, he has ensured that every detail is met regarding theater level requirements to support our Army’s ground force commanders.” - LTG Thomas G. Miller –- Commander First Army