Former CFD Battalion Chief Oswald B. Lewis

The Chicago Sun-Times recently published a heartfelt article featuring photographs that honor the life of veteran Chicago Battalion Chief Oswald B. Lewis, who passed away earlier this year. The piece reflects on his remarkable career and the significant role he played in the city's history. Throughout major events like the Blizzard of ’67, the devastating fire that destroyed Chicago’s first McCormick Place later that same year, and the 1968 riots that ravaged the West Side, Oswald B. Lewis was always on the front lines. As a battalion chief with the Chicago Fire Department, he led Snorkel Squad 3—one of the busiest units in the city. Based at Francisco and Fillmore, and later at Erie and Western, the squad responded to around 20 calls a day, totaling nearly 7,000 runs annually. “Those guys were running their wheels off,” recalled Kenneth Little, a department historian and retired fire-alarm operator. “They had these new flexible snorkels, and it really helped improve firefighting.” Lewis was known for his leadership and dedication. He never asked his men to do anything he wouldn’t do himself, and he was skilled at navigating dangerous fires and ensuring no one was left behind. Retired Fire Lt. Mike Dineen shared a personal story: “I got turned around in a basement once, and he came down looking for me. We both made it out together.” His colleagues admired not only his bravery but also his willingness to recognize and reward their efforts. Pete Cunningham, a retired deputy district chief, said, “He always gave credit where it was due. If you did something good, he’d write you up for an award.” Lewis, who joined the department in 1955, became a role model for young African-American firefighters in a department that was historically segregated. Despite the challenges of racial and social divisions within the force, he earned respect through hard work, intelligence, and integrity. His daughter noted that he had to rely on his own merits rather than connections or background. “He didn’t have a patron, he wasn’t from Bridgeport, and he wasn’t Irish or Italian,” she said. “You had to earn your peers’ respect.” His communication skills also set him apart. Les Outerbridge, a retired fire engineer and co-founder of the Afro American Firefighters League, said, “He could talk to anyone. He was soft-spoken, well-read, and had a way of connecting with people.” After retiring in 1979, Lewis continued to serve by working with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the National Safety Council. He passed away on May 21 at Mercy Hospital at the age of 89. During the 1968 riots following the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Lewis faced not only fires but also violent crowds. Jim Syler, a retired acting battalion chief, recalled, “We had to be escorted by police. People were throwing bricks and rocks on the expressway at cars.” Though Chicago’s first African-American firefighter was hired in 1872, firehouses remained largely segregated until the mid-1960s. Lewis broke barriers and paved the way for future generations. His legacy lives on through the stories of those he inspired and the communities he protected. Thanks, Dan.

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