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Former CFD Battalion Chief Oswald B. Lewis
The Chicago Sun-Times recently published a touching article featuring photos that honor the life of veteran Chicago Fire Department Battalion Chief Oswald B. Lewis, who passed away earlier this year. The piece highlights his remarkable career and the impact he had on both his colleagues and the city.
Throughout some of the most challenging moments in Chicago’s history — including the Blizzard of ’67, the devastating fire that destroyed the original McCormick Place in 1967, and the violent riots that swept through the West Side following the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968 — Lewis was always on the front lines. He served with the Snorkel Squad 3, one of the busiest units in the department, based initially at Francisco and Fillmore, and later at Erie and Western. The squad handled nearly 7,000 calls annually, making it a critical part of the city's emergency response.
Kenneth Little, a historian and retired fire-alarm operator, recalls how Lewis was a standout figure in the department. “It was a crack outfit,†he said. “They were running their wheels off.†Lewis was known for his leadership, technical expertise, and unwavering commitment to his team. He never asked his firefighters to do anything he wouldn’t do himself, and he was always the first to enter burning buildings and the last to leave.
Fire Lt. Mike Dineen shared a personal story about Lewis, recalling a time when he got lost in a basement during a fire. “He came down looking for me and found me,†Dineen said. “We both worked our way back out of there.†Another firefighter, Pete Cunningham, praised Lewis for recognizing and rewarding the efforts of his men. “If you did something worthwhile at a fire, he’d write you up for an award,†he said.
Lewis joined the department in 1955 and became a role model for young African-American firefighters at a time when the department was still largely segregated. His rise through the ranks was not easy — he had no political connections or family ties to powerful neighborhoods like Bridgeport. Instead, he earned his respect through hard work, knowledge, and integrity.
Les Outerbridge, a retired fire engineer and co-founder of the Afro American Firefighters League, noted that Lewis had a unique ability to connect with people. “He was very soft-spoken, well-read, and could hold a conversation with just about anyone,†he said.
After retiring from the fire department in 1979, Lewis continued to serve the public by working with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the National Safety Council. He passed away at the age of 89 at Mercy Hospital.
His legacy lives on not only through the stories of those who served alongside him but also through the progress he helped pave for future generations of firefighters in Chicago.
Thanks, Dan.