George Joseph Lesko

Military
media-44513.jpeg UPL 44513 Sgt George J Lesko, 384BG

USAAF Photo

Object Number - UPL 44513 - Sgt George J Lesko, 384BG

Assigned to 547BS, 384BG, 8AF USAAF. Chas Shuff crew. 19 x combat missions. Severely wounded by flak on 22-Mar-45 returning from a mission to Westerholt, Germany in B-17 43-38630. Despite the pilot electing to land in Belgium to get assistance for George, pronounced dead on arrival at hospital. Killed in Action (KIA).



Awards: PH.

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 384th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 547th Bomb Squadron 384th Bomb Group
  • Service Numbers: 16167194
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant (RAF)
  • Role/Job: Togglier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-2073028
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator, Commanding Officer
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 17165665
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group
  • Service Numbers: 14181932
  • Highest Rank: Major
  • Role/Job: Ball turret gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 1113840
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Nevada Avenger
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 546th Bomb Squadron 547th Bomb Squadron

Missions

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Francis Mine,, PA 8 October 1923 Son of Joe and Mary [Murdock] Lesko.

Enlisted

Pittsburgh, PA 28 May 1943 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Died

Zoute, 8300 Knokke-Heist, Belgium 22 March 1945 SGT Lesko was severely wounded by flak on 22 March 1945 returning from a mission to Westerholt, Germany. The aircraft, 43-38630 was badly damaged and The Pilot, Charles B. Shuff, elected to land at Knocke/Le Zoute, Belgium (A-83) to seek aid for Lesko. The aircraft crash landed and burned at A-83. The crew was able to evacuate the aircraft with Lesko. Lesko was pronounced dead at the local hospital. The remaining crew survived and returned to duty at Grafton Underwood.

Buried

Re-Interred Arlington National Cemetery Arlington, Arlington County, Virginia

Based

Grafton Underwood 22 March 1945 Assigned to 547BS, 384BG, 8AF USAAF.

Revisions

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Contributorbombercommand
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Sources

384thbombgroup.com

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384thbombgroup.com

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Contributorbombercommand
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384thbombgroup.com

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George Joseph Lesko: Gallery (1 items)