Lester Lee Jones, B24 Liberator Aerial Gunner Lt. George Sandberg’s crew, 36th Squadron, 8th Air Force
I recently learned from the Lester Jones family that Norman’s Waist Gunner, Lester Jones, just passed away at 95 years old in Roanoke, VA. It means that George Eberwine is possibly the last living member of Lt. George Landberg’s crew. I have sent George notification of Lester’s death and posted a message and photo on the Funeral Home website guest page. Here I include photographs of the 36BS Liberator piloted by Lt. Landberg in which Lester broke his leg in the crash of B24 219 on 15 November 1944, and which took the lives of Walter Lamson and Leonard Smith. Those B24s always did seem to break into threes!
His Obituary appeared in the Roanoke Times newspaper:
‘May 20, 1922 – January 16, 2018.
Lester Lee Jones, 95, of Roanoke, VA; passed away on January 16, 2018. He served his country during World War II in the United States Army Air Corps. Lester retired from the Internal Revenue Service after 33 years of service.
Lester grew up on the farm in the Back-
Creek Community and he continued his love of farming throughout his adult life. He was preceded in death by his wife, Evelyn ‘Mildred’ Jones; parents A. B. and Mamie Jones; seven siblings; and daughter-in-law Barbara Jones. Left behind to cherish his memory are two sons, David Jones and wife Candis, and Michael Jones; including seven grandchildren, and extended family…’
Courtesy: ‘Roanoke Times’ newspaper.
I added Lt Landberg crew photo and statement below to the Internet Roanoke Obituary Guestbook
‘January 19, 2018
During WWII, Lester Jones served bravely like my father as a B24 Liberator Aerial Gunner in the 36th Squadron that flew on night missions with the British Royal Air Force performing electronic warfare. On one such mission in November 1944, his bomber crashed on take-off killing two of his crew. Although injured in the crash, with God’s great blessings, Lester was able to return home, be productive, raise a family, love and be loved. May he rest in Peace.’
by Stephen Hutton
This article is from the Summer 2018 issue of Confound and Destroy
