Lester Lyman Boswell
Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army

Lester Lyman Boswell was the son of Oran E. and Edith Baker Boswell.

In April 1943, Staff Sergeant Lester Lyman Boswell was serving with Company F, 60th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division, Seventh U.S. Army, in action against German forces in Tunisia. During an important flanking move by his company, SSG Boswell placed himself in the front of his platoon and, under heavy enemy fire, led their advance. By skillful maneuvering he worked his way to the enemy's rear and opened fire on them, causing many casualties and routing the remainder. He rallied his men and led them in pursuit of the fleeing enemy, all of whom they either killed or captured. During this action, SSG Boswell was mortally wounded. His extreme daring and devotion to duty were such an inspiration to the command that a large part of the credit for his company's success in the attack belongs to him. SSG Boswell's courageous actions and extraordinary heroism, at the cost of his life, earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Silver Star Medal
Purple Heart
Army Good Conduct Medal
American Defense Service Medal
American Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal
Combat Infantryman Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Staff Sergeant Lester L. Boswell (ASN: 16040662), United States Army, for heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company **, 60th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division, in action on ** April 1943 in the ****, Tunisia. During an important flanking move by his company, Staff Sergeant Boswell placed himself in the forefront of his platoon, and under heavy enemy fire, led and inspired them in the advance. By skillful maneuvering he worked his way to the enemy's rear, opened fire on them causing many casualties and routing the remainder. He immediately rallied his men and led them in pursuit of the fleeting enemy, all of whom were either killed or captured. During this action, Staff Sergeant Boswell was mortally wounded. His extreme daring, devotion to duty and high courage were such an inspiration to the command, that to him belongs a large part of the credit for his company's success in the attack.

General Orders: Headquarters, Seventh U.S. Army, General Orders No. 32 (October 18, 1943)

Burial

Staff Sergeant Lester Lyman Boswell is buried at Baltimore Cemetery in Wayne County, IL.

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