Sgt. Lester R. King       

Mil# 35553446

Enlisted: April 8, 1943 Toledo, OH 

 Assistant gunner on the #3 Gun, Angel's Chariot.  2de Platoon, A. Company 643rd TD BN.

1945 - 1948  US Navy

 

 

 

 

Born: 25 November 1924   Place: Ft. Wayne, IN

Died: 30 March 2007    Place:  Phoenix, AZ 

Buriel-Place:

 

Wifes: Betty King (Reek)   Marriage: 2 Januari 1947

 Children: Cheri and David

Last known Address: 828 North 68th Ave. Phoenix, AZ

 

Father: Otto King   Mother: Lydia King (Bender)

Siblings: Alice and Dorothy

 

 

Awards

 

Good Conduct Medal - American Defence Service Medal - WWII Victory Medal

 

                                                              

 

American Campaign Medal

 

       

European African Middle Eastern Service Medal

3 Battle Stars"Ardennes-Rhineland-Central Europe"

    

 

 

      Book written by Lester R. King

 

Tells the story of the men in a Tank Destroyer Company in Europe during WWII and follows the path of the 643rd TD Battalion .

Book is dedicated to "Andrew Rymer" The last man KIA (A-Company) from the 643rd TD BN.

 

 

 

22 Oktober 2008

 

I received 2 original manuscripts written by Lester King  from Joe Decaro, Joe's father (Sgt. Joseph James Decaro) was also a member of the 643rd TD BN.

(C-Company). he and Lester where best friends, Joseph died in February 2008, and his friend Lester King, died unexpectedly March 2007.

 

 

This script was personally signed by Lester R. King      

( To: The Two Joe's Decaro)

 

It tells some of the story of the Battle of the Bulge from Lester's point of view. Lester was assigned as a "route marker" for a 643rd TD convoy going into Belgium, but in all the confusion of the German offensive, Lester got stranded and later returned to his unit.

 

Lester was actively involved in raising money to construct a monument at the Arizona State Capital to honor those that fought and died in the Ardennes Campaign.

 

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