World War II Honoree

Lester Bert Owens

Hometown

Somerville, Alabama

Honored By

Phyllis J. K. Owens

Relationship

Eldest Granddaughter

WORKED AS A CIVIL SERVANT AT REDSTONE ARSENAL IN HUNTSVILLE, MADISON COUNTY, ALABAMA AT AN ORDNANCE FACILITY ON ONE OF THE MUSTARD GAS LINES WITH THE LARGER CANISTERS. THESE WORKERS WERE REFERRED TO AS 'PRODUCTION SOLDIERS' AND THEY RECEIVED $5.76 PER DAY FOR THEIR LABOR. ONE NIGHT THERE WAS A LEAK FROM ONE OF THE GAS CANISTERS AND HE RAN BACK IN TO CAP IT, WAS EXPOSED AND HARMED BY THE GAS. HE SPENT THE REST OF HIS LIFE WITH RESPIRATORY AND NERVOUS SYSTEM DAMAGE.