World War II Honoree
Killed in World War II
Lester L. Picker
Branch of Service
U.S. Army Air Force
Hometown
Westport, Indiana
Honored By
A Grateful American
STAFF SERGEANT, B-24 LIBERATOR 'BOMBS TO NIP ON', 400TH SQUADRON (BLACK PIRATES), 90TH BOMB GROUP 'JOLLY ROGERS', 5TH AIR FORCE, SERVING IN THE PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS. MEMBER OF PAUL LARSON CREW. AROUND MIDNIGHT, NOVEMBER 16, 1942, HIS PLANE WAS TAKING OFF FROM IRON RANGE ON A BOMBING MISSION AGAINST RABAUL. DUST FROM THE OTHER B-24'S TAKING OFF MADE IT HARD TO SEE THE RUNWAY LIGHTS. HIS PLANE SWERVED, CRASHED, CAUGHT FIRE AND EXPLODED. ALL WERE DECLARED DEAD ON NOVEMBER 17TH, 1942. AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART.