Lester served as a Technical Sergeant, 831st Bomber Squadron, 485th Bomber Group, Heavy, U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II.

He resided in Berks County, Pennsylvania prior to the war.

He enlisted in the Army on August 5, 1942 in Allentown, Pennsylvania. He was noted, at the time of his enlistment, as being employed in a foundry and also as Married.

Lester was a passenger on the S.S. Paul Hamilton (Hull Number 227).

On her fifth voyage the S.S. Paul Hamilton left Hampton Roads, Virginia on April 2, 1944 as part of convoy UGS 38, carrying supplies and the ground personnel of the 485th Bombardment Group and the 5th Reconnaissance Group of the United States Army Air Forces to Italy.

On the evening of April 20th the Hamilton and other ships in the convoy were attacked 30 miles (48 km) in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Cape Bengut near Algiers by 23 German Ju 88 bombers.

One aerial torpedo struck the Paul Hamilton and detonated the cargo of high explosives and bombs, and the ship and crew disappeared within 30 seconds. A total of approximately 580 men where lost.

Lester was declared "Missing In Action" in this sinking during the war.

He was awarded the Purple Heart.

Service # 33187812

( Bio by: Russ Pickett )

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The U.S.S. Lansdale (DD-426) and the S.S. Royal Star were also sunk in this attack.
The Lansdale had a loss of Forty-seven officers and men.
The Royal Star lost only one member of their crew.

The Lansdale received four battle stars for World War II service.∼WW II - KIA/MIA aboard SS Paul Hamilton
Technical Sergeant US Army Air Corps - 831st Bomber Sq - 485th Bomb Gr

The men of 485th boarded troop ships at Hampton Roads VA on Apr 02 1944 to begin the overseas voyage to their new home in Venosa, Italy. On the night of April 20 1944 the convoy was attacked by JU-88 torpedo bombers in the Mediterranean Sea, off the coast of Algiers (Lat. 36°55'N - Long. 03° 54'E) Three ships were sunk, including the Liberty Ship SS Paul Hamilton. This ship carried 154 Officers and men from the 485th Bomb Group, most of them from the 831st Squadron. The Hamilton exploded and sank within 30 seconds and all personnel were lost.

*taken from web page of the 485th Bomb Group Association, Fifteenth Air Force, Venosa Italy - History of the 485th Bomb Group

Lester served as a Technical Sergeant, 831st Bomber Squadron, 485th Bomber Group, Heavy, U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II.

He resided in Berks County, Pennsylvania prior to the war.

He enlisted in the Army on August 5, 1942 in Allentown, Pennsylvania. He was noted, at the time of his enlistment, as being employed in a foundry and also as Married.

Lester was a passenger on the S.S. Paul Hamilton (Hull Number 227).

On her fifth voyage the S.S. Paul Hamilton left Hampton Roads, Virginia on April 2, 1944 as part of convoy UGS 38, carrying supplies and the ground personnel of the 485th Bombardment Group and the 5th Reconnaissance Group of the United States Army Air Forces to Italy.

On the evening of April 20th the Hamilton and other ships in the convoy were attacked 30 miles (48 km) in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Cape Bengut near Algiers by 23 German Ju 88 bombers.

One aerial torpedo struck the Paul Hamilton and detonated the cargo of high explosives and bombs, and the ship and crew disappeared within 30 seconds. A total of approximately 580 men where lost.

Lester was declared "Missing In Action" in this sinking during the war.

He was awarded the Purple Heart.

Service # 33187812

( Bio by: Russ Pickett )

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The U.S.S. Lansdale (DD-426) and the S.S. Royal Star were also sunk in this attack.
The Lansdale had a loss of Forty-seven officers and men.
The Royal Star lost only one member of their crew.

The Lansdale received four battle stars for World War II service.∼WW II - KIA/MIA aboard SS Paul Hamilton
Technical Sergeant US Army Air Corps - 831st Bomber Sq - 485th Bomb Gr

The men of 485th boarded troop ships at Hampton Roads VA on Apr 02 1944 to begin the overseas voyage to their new home in Venosa, Italy. On the night of April 20 1944 the convoy was attacked by JU-88 torpedo bombers in the Mediterranean Sea, off the coast of Algiers (Lat. 36°55'N - Long. 03° 54'E) Three ships were sunk, including the Liberty Ship SS Paul Hamilton. This ship carried 154 Officers and men from the 485th Bomb Group, most of them from the 831st Squadron. The Hamilton exploded and sank within 30 seconds and all personnel were lost.

*taken from web page of the 485th Bomb Group Association, Fifteenth Air Force, Venosa Italy - History of the 485th Bomb Group