Lester C. Stevens was born on September 7, 1918, in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, New York. He enlisted in the service on May 8, 1940. He served in the 803rd Engineer Battalion, Aviation, as a Private First Class during World War II.

After the fall of Bataan in the hands of the Japanese Army on April 9, 1942, PFC Stevens was one of the 10,000 to 12,000 Americans who were forced to march over 60 miles under brutal conditions, resulting in 1,000 to 5,000 deaths due to starvation, dehydration, and abuse. Survivors were sent to Camp O'Donnell, where dire conditions, including overcrowding, malnutrition, and disease, caused an additional 1,500 to 2,300 American deaths within weeks. Those who survived faced ongoing hardships, including transfers to other camps and forced labor, where many continued to suffer or die.

PFC Stevens was among the American soldiers who lost their lives in captivity on August 9, 1942. He is now buried in the Riverdale Cemetery, Lewiston, Niagara County, New York, USA.

Source of information: www.livescience.com