World War II Honoree

Maurice V. Esters

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Webster, Iowa

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

RANK: 1ST LIEUTENANT. HE WAS TUSKEGEE AIRMAN, WHO WAS A P-47 ‘THUNDERBOLT’ FIGHTER PILOT ASSIGNED TO THE 301ST FIGHTER SQUADRON, 332ND FIGHTER GROUP ‘RED-TAIL ANGELES’, 306TH FIGHTER WING, U.S. 15TH AIR FORCE, STATIONED AT RAMITELLI AIRFIELD, TERMOLI, ITALY. ON JUNE 26, 1944 WHILE RETURNING FROM AN ESCORT MISSION OVER THE ADRIATIC OCEAN, HE BROKE FORMATION DUE TO ENGINE FAILURE. HE RADIOED ‘MAYDAY’ AND PARACHUTED FROM HIS FIGHTER AND WAS SEEN IN HIS DINGHY, BEFORE A HUGE WAVE SWEPT HIM UNDER AND NEVER SEEN AGAIN. HE WAS REPORTED MISSING IN ACTION OR LOST AT SEA, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27, 1945 AND IS MEMORIALIZED AT THE FLORENCE AMERICAN CEMETERY LOCATED AT VIA CASSIA, ITALY. DECORATIONS AND MEDALS: AIR MEDAL AND THE PURPLE HEART. THE AIR MEDAL WAS AWARDED TO THE LIEUTENANT FOR MERITORIOUS ACHIEVEMENT WHILE PARTICIPATING IN AERIAL FLIGHT.