SSGT. Lester Arthur Kitzerow was an Aerial Gunner with the 12th Air Force; 57th Bombardment Wing; 310th Bombardment Group; 379th Bombardment Squadron; stationed in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations (MTO).

His Hometown was Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan.

Friday, 21 May 1943
379th BS Mission Summary: (Ops Order ---/mission ---) Group Mission # 94: So with a very quick briefing and preparation 24 planes of the group were up and winging their way toward Villacidro A/D in Sardinia. The results were very good with 10 to 15 E/A parked in the NE corner well covered. Intense heavy flak was encountered over the target and the formation returned minus two crews. Lt. McCormick of the 380th was hit by flak over the target and exploded in mid-air. The 379th was also very unfortunate, for Lt. G. C. Beachum’s ship met a similar fate. Our new Sq. Commanding Officer, Capt. Heston C. Daniel, after having recently attained his ambition, was among those lost. Those observing the unfortunate incident say that the right wing was shot off and the ship spun to earth. Although three parachutes were seen to open, it is undetermined as to who was able to leave the doomed plane. Some think that two of the chutes might have been S/Sgts. Dalmaso and Gower, gunner and radio-man respectively, of Lt. J. D. Lindh’s crew. These two men bailed out over the target evidently thinking their ship had been hit because of the violent evasive action their pilot had to employ. The entire personnel of the squadron grieve the loss of Lt. G.C. Beachum and his crew, also Capt. Heston C. Daniel’s mis-fortune, for he was very well liked and respected.

A/C No. 5 aircraft unidentified (MACR-16512 - shot down over target by AAA)

THE CREW:
P Beachum, Graham C., 2Lt; POW
CP Smith, Donald M., 1Lt' KIA
N None
B DeBernardis, Alfred J., S/Sgt; POW
E None
R Mencer, William O., S/Sgt; KIA
G Kitzerow, Lester Arthur, S/Sgt; KIA
F Daniel, Heston C., Capt, Commander (observer); POW

Lester A Kitzerow