Andrew Lester Graham, Jr. was born on February 3, 1921, in Floyd County, Virginia. He was the son of Andrew Lester Graham and Annie Pearl Yeatts Graham and was married to Elrica Kate Sowers Graham.

Andrew Lester, Jr. served in the 423rd Bomber Squadron, 306th Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Second Lieutenant and Bombardier on the B-17F #41-24491 'Man O War' during World War II.

On November 9, 1942, at 10h00, his crew took off from Station 111 airfield in Thurleigh, England, to attack the submarine base in St. Nazaire, France. Unfortunately, at around 02:40 pm, their plane was shot down by flak and crashed 1 km southeast of St-Andre-des-Eaux. This incident resulted in six casualties, three prisoners of war, and only one who evaded German capture. 2Lt Graham was one of the POWs. He was taken to Stalag Luft 7A in Moosburg, Bavaria, Germany.

Graham achieved his highest rank in the military as Lieutenant Colonel. He died on March 5, 2002, at the age of 81, in Pulaski, Virginia. He is now buried in the Oakwood Cemetery, Pulaski, Pulaski County, Virginia.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, francecrashes39-45.net