Remembering Arthur Hewitt

Remembering Arthur Hewitt: A Local Hero

The City of League City lowered city flags to half-staff, and received permission to lower Texas flags in memory of local hero Arthur Hewitt. The Governors office sent their sincere condolences on the loss of such a fine Texan and approved our request to lower the flags in his honor. Hewitt, who passed away overnight, served in the League City Volunteer Fire Department for 61 years. He joined the department in 1950 and helped protect the lives and property in the community until his death at 92 years of age.

Service Outside the Department

In addition to his service as a volunteer firefighter, Hewitt also served in the U.S. Army Air Forces in World War II as a B-34 bombardier, flying missions over North Africa and Europe. His plane was shot down over Germany in 1944. He made sure all his fellow crew members had evacuated the aircraft before he bailed out himself, at the low altitude of 800 feet. Hewitt evaded capture for nearly 2 weeks, before spending the rest of the war in a German prisoner-of-war camp.

His Time in the Department

During his time with the department Hewitt served as a captain, treasurer, and assistant chief, he also took the lead for many years in performing maintenance on the department’s fire trucks. In addition, he was voted Outstanding Firefighter by his fellow firefighters on four separate occasions in 1969, 1984, 1985, and 1990. He also received numerous other awards including:

  • Community Service Award
  • Fireman of the Year
  • Honorary Firefighter, one of the department’s highest honors
  • Volunteer Firefighter Distinguished Service Award

League City’s Fire Station 1 was named in honor of Arthur Hewitt in 2000.

From the Mayor

"Art represented a shining example of commitment to community. He served his nation and his city with his brain, brawn and heart, and he didn’t let anything stop him, not even age. He was an inspiration to us all," said League City Mayor Tim Paulissen.

From the City Manager

"Hewitt’s dedication spanned the entire length of his life. His commitment to community didn’t stop after the war, or when he had a family, or when he began to age. The League City Volunteer Fire Department, city staff and elected officials, and the entire community will never forget that commitment," said City Manager Mike Loftin.