World War II Honoree

Lester G. Avritt

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Weatherford, Oklahoma

Honored By

Mrs. Sharon Kay Andersen

Relationship

Niece

He was inducted in the Federal Service Army Air Corps and promoted to 1st Lieutenant May 1942; then to Captain in the Army on March 13, 1943; Major on September 7, 1944; Lieutenant Colonel on December 26, 1945. He received his Regular Army Appointment from the President on July 7, 1947 in the rank of Captain and temporary rank of Major. He served overseas with the 456th Bombardier Group, Heavy Bombardment, 301st Wing, 15th Air Force. Served overseas in combat in North Africa and Italy February 2, 1944 to July 29, 1945. He served in the following campaigns in which he was awarded 7 Bronze Battle Stars, Rome-Arno Invasion, Invasion of Southern France, North Apennines Campaign, Po Valley Campaign, Invasion of North France, Air Combat Balkans, Air Combat Rhineland. He won two Bronze Stars, Air Medal, 2 Presidential Unit Citations, American Defense Medal, European Theatre Medal with 7 Battle Stars.