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World War II Honoree

World War II Veteran

Lester 'Smoky' Halonen

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Honored By

Patty Alkema

Relationship

Niece

Branch Seal
Activity During WWII

PILOT. ENLISTED IN NOVEMBER OF 1941. MEMBER OF THE 15TH AIR FORCE, 779TH BOMBER GROUP, 79TH SQUADRON. SURVIVED FOUR AIR CRASHES. RECEIVED BRONZE STAR FOR DEVELOPING A PLAN FOR USING DEICER HOSES ON AIRPLANES TO EXTEND THE LIFE OF THE ENGINE ON THE AIRPLANES. STATIONED IN AFRICA AND ITALY. FLEW SUB-PATROL OVER THE GULF OF MEXICO AND IN PANAMA CITY. HE TOWED AERIAL TARGETS FOR THE FIGHTER PILOTS.