John F Lester
MilitaryCrew Number 37 John F Lester, Unit citation Badge with Cluster Go#50 WD 17 June 44; EAMET Service Medal; Air medal Go#26 3rd Bomb Div 19 Oct 43 with 5 Oak Leaf clusters GO#173 Hq 1st AD 27 Feb 45: Transfered to Pathfinders, 1st Bombardment Division, 8th Air Force, 482nd Group. Post war got a Law degree, Remained in the USAF after the War until 1955, Became a Special Agent for the OSI.
18 mar 44 - DFC awarded on 15 Apr 45.
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Norma J, Rick-O-Shay
- Unit: 390th Bomb Group 571st Bomb Squadron
![Ground crew of the 390th Bomb Group unloads a camera from a Jeep before fitting it into a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-30332). Image stamped on reverse: ‘Keystone Press.’ [stamp], ‘Passed for publication 27 Aug 1943.’ [stamp] and ‘281016.’ [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: ' PHOTO MEN SERVE WITH FLYING FORTRESSES. When it comes to bombing, pictures tell the story. Skilled photographers serving with the U.S. 8th Air Force Flying Fortress Group are trained to get the pictures, p](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-380429.jpg.webp?itok=-pMhNp1i)
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Short Stuff, Spirit of 76
- Unit: 390th Bomb Group 571st Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Short Stuff
- Unit: 390th Bomb Group 571st Bomb Squadron
Places
![A bomber crew of the 390th Bomb Group with their B-17 Flying Fortress ( serial number 42-31027) nicknamed "Honey Chile" and their dog and monkey mascots "Scrappy" and "Joe". Image stamped on reverse: ‘Fox.’ [stamp], ‘passed for publication 25 Oct 1943.’ [stamp] and ‘289774.’ [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: ‘AERIAL MASCOTS OF FORTRESS CREWS. PH/MoN. As frisky and friendly a pair of aerial mascots as you'll find in Britain are "Scrappy" and "Joe", pup and monkey team belonging to the](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-380433.jpg.webp?itok=L7HbOA_i)
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Parham
Revisions
Removed "2 spaces" in the S/N to aid clarity & consistency.
Added some Punctuation in the "Summary biography" to aid readability.
Separation Record dated 7 July 1945, Honorable Discharge 7 July 1945, Unit Commendation for "Blind Bombing Success" for 482nd Pathfinder Group 24 Dec 1943, Distinguished Flying Cross for actions taken on bombing raid on 14 October 1943, awarded by Maj. Gen Edward Witsell Acting Adjutant General 15 Apr 1945. Discharged then reenlisted USAF 1946, Graduation Diploma Office of Special Investigations school per Maj. Gen. Joseph Carroll Director of OSI. Special Orders no. 64, Assignment to OSI District 6. Promoted to WO2 15 Apr 1952.
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / www.390thspace.com/missions.php?name=Lester%2C+John+F