Lester Joseph Pavel was born on September 29, 1920, in Oxford Junction, Iowa. He was the son of Joseph Pavel and Margaret Krob Pavel. He was graduated from Solon High School in 1937. He worked for a short time for his uncle in the feed elevator business but World War II was heating up in Europe, and Lester and his younger brother wanted to get into defending the United States. Lester and his brother, Paul both enlisted in the Army Air Corps on November 19, 1940. They were both sent to Chanute Field, IL, for training.
Private Pavel was graduated on November 15, 1941, from the course of the advanced instrument from the Chanute Field branch of the Army Air Corps technical schools. From Iowa, he was sent to Will Rogers Field, OK. He attended the Air Corps technical school and received the rating of air mechanic and crew chief. He also received a promotion to Corporal in January 1942. In September 1942, he was again promoted to Staff Sergeant. He received his silver wings on July 28, 1943, at the airbase at Stockton, CA. It was May 1944 when Lester Pavel’s dream became a reality.
He joined the European theater of World War II and was stationed in England with the Air Corps. Lester served in the 862nd Bomber Squadron, 493rd Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Second Lieutenant and Co-Pilot on the B-24 #42-94798. It was the very first mission for the 493rd Bomb Group, based in Debach, England, when 36 B24s took off for their target on June 6, 1944. But when they reached their objective, a road and railroad crossing in Lisieux, France, the target was obscured by clouds. The decision was made to turn the planes back without dropping their bombs.
On their way home around 10:28, at 11,000 feet, 42-94798 collided with 44-40471 piloted by Cpt Jack Cooper. Both planes crashed into the west of the English Channel. A witness stated “the right-wing of A/C (aircraft) 471 struck the tail of A/C 789. A/C 471 was seen to disintegrate, and both A/C 471 and A/C 789 were seen to disappear into the overcast. One to two chutes were seen out of both A/C 471 and A/C 789.
All men aboard the two B-24s were killed, and all were declared as Missing in Action. These 20 airmen were memorialized at the Tablets of the Missing, Brittany American Cemetery, Montjoie Saint Martin, France. But, as per MACR, Sgt Tuohy survived and was taken as a prisoner. 2Lt Pavel has a cenotaph Saint Marys Catholic Cemetery, Iowa.
The crew of #42-94789:
1Lt Donald L. Russell Pilot
2Lt Lester Joseph Pavel Co-Pilot
2Lt Kenneth Eugene Lebl Navigator
2lt George W Sharman Bombardier
T/Sgt Roscoe Elonzo Wilson Radio Operator
T/Sgt Billy Mack Hollingsworth Mechanic
S/Sgt Tony Caddell Ball Turret Gunner
S/Sgt William Horace Smith Nose Turret Gunner
S/Sgt Charles M Jr Bujtor Waist Gunner
Sgt Dallas Lee Kincaid Tail Gunner
Source of information: francecrashes39-45.net, www.americanairmuseum.com, www.findagrave.com, www.abmc.gov, www.ww2research.com