Lester Darrell Torbett
Military
Front Row L-R: Jack Ogg-CP, Loren Van Steenis-P, Harold Becker-N, Lester Torbett-Bomb.
Back Row L-R: Archie Holladay-TTG, Robert Goodman-BTG, James Yarnall-WG, Joseph Clouthier-WG, Walter Schneider-TG, Ed Butchino-WG, Earl Benham-ROG. Yarnall wounded Feb 24, 1944, replaced by Clouthier
Object Number - UPL 50281 - JACK OGG CREW #13, 100th BG Front Row L-R: Jack Ogg-CP, Loren Van Steenis-P, Harold Becker-N, Lester Torbett-Bomb. Back Row L-R: Archie...
Assigned to 350BS, 100BG, 8AF USAAF. Van Steenis crew. 23 x combat missions. Wounded by flak on Berlin mission in B-17 42-38053 'Hard Luck II' 7-May-44; Wounded in Action (WIA) Subsequently grounded due to wounds.
Awards: DFC, AM (3OLC), PH.
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Units served with
![Three airmen of the 100th Bomb Group, Lieutenant Kenneth Menzie, Lieutenant Donald Strout and Lieutenant Norman Scott, plan the route they will take during the next mission in their B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-30380). Image stamped on reverse: 'Reviewed and passed U.S. Army 23 Aug 1943 Press Censor E.T.O. U.S.A.' [stamp]'. Passed for publication 23 August 1943 INTLD 16 General Section Press Censorship Bureau '[stamp], 'Associated Press' [stamp] and '280035.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reve](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-378743.jpg.webp?itok=HBB0lqjl)
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 100th Bomb Group 350th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-682134
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 100th Bomb Group 350th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 100th Bomb Group 350th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 31167562
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 100th Bomb Group 350th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 31082928
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 100th Bomb Group 350th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 12151842
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Hard Luck !
- Unit: 100th Bomb Group 350th Bomb Squadron
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Born |
Marionville, MO | 4 January 1919 | Son of Robert Milton and Blanche [Lester] Torbett. |
|
Enlisted |
Oklahoma City, OK | 13 February 1941 | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma |
|
Died |
Minnesota | 23 February 1963 | |
|
Buried |
Memorial Park Cemetery Muskogee, Muskogee County, OK | 26 February 1963 | Memorial Park Cemetery Muskogee, Muskogee County, Oklahoma |
|
Other Specialist training |
Victory Field, Vernon, Texas | Bombardier training - Victory Field, Vernon, Texas |
Revisions
Added an association to the A/C #42-3413 per info in the A/C description section.
Added first name per info on the 100th BG website.
Source: https://100thbg.com/index.php?option=com_bombgrp&view=personnel&id=5207…
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / http://www.mcadams.org/fpdb/sqds_name2.asp
