Lester Darrell Torbett
Military
Front Row L-R: Jack Ogg-CP, Loren Van Steenis-P, Harold Becker-N, Lester Torbett-Bomb.
Back Row L-R: Archie Holladay-TTG, Robert Goodman-BTG, James Yarnall-WG, Joseph Clouthier-WG, Walter Schneider-TG, Ed Butchino-WG, Earl Benham-ROG. Yarnall wounded Feb 24, 1944, replaced by Clouthier
Object Number - UPL 50281 - JACK OGG CREW #13, 100th BG Front Row L-R: Jack Ogg-CP, Loren Van Steenis-P, Harold Becker-N, Lester Torbett-Bomb. Back Row L-R: Archie...
Assigned to 350BS, 100BG, 8AF USAAF. Van Steenis crew. 23 x combat missions. Wounded by flak on Berlin mission in B-17 42-38053 'Hard Luck II' 7-May-44; Wounded in Action (WIA) Subsequently grounded due to wounds.
Awards: DFC, AM (3OLC), PH.
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Units served with

- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment

- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People

- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 100th Bomb Group 350th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-682134
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator

- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 100th Bomb Group 350th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator Gunner

- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 100th Bomb Group 350th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 31167562
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner

- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 100th Bomb Group 350th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 31082928
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner

- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 100th Bomb Group 350th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 12151842
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
Aircraft

- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Hard Luck !
- Unit: 100th Bomb Group 350th Bomb Squadron
Places

- Site type: Airfield
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Born |
Marionville, MO | 4 January 1919 | Son of Robert Milton and Blanche [Lester] Torbett. |
Enlisted |
Oklahoma City, OK | 13 February 1941 | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma |
Died |
Minnesota | 23 February 1963 | |
Buried |
Memorial Park Cemetery Muskogee, Muskogee County, OK | 26 February 1963 | Memorial Park Cemetery Muskogee, Muskogee County, Oklahoma |
Other Specialist training |
Victory Field, Vernon, Texas | Bombardier training - Victory Field, Vernon, Texas |
Revisions
Added an association to the A/C #42-3413 per info in the A/C description section.
Added an association to the 100th BG per info for 350th BS.
Added first name per info on the 100th BG website.
Source: https://100thbg.com/index.php?option=com_bombgrp&view=personnel&id=5207…
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / http://www.mcadams.org/fpdb/sqds_name2.asp