TEC 4 1877 ENGR BN WWII
Lester Lee Jones, T/4 United States Army Air Force, with the 1877 Eng. Avn. Bn. Division, was born on a farm near South Bend Dec. 21, 3, the fourth son of Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Jones. He attended a public country school near his home, and also the Ashland High School, graduating with the class of 1941.
After graduating Lester was engaged in farming for one year with is father. In February, 1942 he attended school in Omaha, and was employed at the U. S. Civil Engr. office in Omaha until entering the Army forces in Feb. 12, 1943.
Lester took his basic training in Jefferson Barracks, Missouri. He was transferred with his Company to Fort Belvoir, Va. to attend school. After graduating he was sent to Venice, Florida. In August he enjoyed a short furlough at his farm home with his parents.
On his return to camp, he was then stationed in Bushell, where he received overseas training. In November, 1943, the Company was sent overseas. They first did work in North Africa, and later in the India and Burma Theater, where he helped build the Stillwell Road, working with Gen. Lewis Peck.
On June 18, his family received word that he died in Burma. A letter following, confirmed that he accidently drowned in the Iraway River. He lies at rest in a beautiful American cemetery in Burma, after having been given full Military burial by the Protestant chaplain.
Lester is survived and mourned by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. W.A. Jones; four brothers, William, Clinton, John Sweetman and Lloyd Duane near South Bend, Nebr., and Clyde Earl. S1/C of U.S.N.R.; six sisters, Mrs. Mildred Mumm, Mary Jones, Mrs. Blanche Ives, and Mrs. Pearl Norris of Omaha, Miss Hazel of Lincoln and Miss Doris of Ashland. Also surviving are his grandmother, Mrs. Viola Miller; uncles, aunts and a host of other relatives and friends.
Contributed by Taddy