Lester W. Saunders
Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army Air Forces

On 8 October 1943, Staff Sergeant Lester W. Saunders was serving as Gunner on a B-17 Flying Fortress Bomber in the 418th Bombardment Squadron, 100th Bombardment Group (Heavy), Eighth Air Force, U.S. Army Air Forces.

On that day, SSG Saunders’ unit was in action against German forces while participating in a bombing mission over Bremen, Germany, in the European Theater of Operations. While serving as the left waist gunner in B-17F (SN 42-3393) nicknamed 'Just-A-Snappin,' the leading plane in the mission, piloted by Lieutenant Colonel Everett Blakely, Commander of the 100th Bombardment Group, SSG Saunders was mortally wounded immediately after completing the bombing run. Despite his painful, serious wounds, SSG Saunders remained at his post firing at the German fighters during their repeated attacks, refusing first aid until the attacks had ceased. 'Just-A-Snappin,' was severely damaged by flak and the fire from enemy fighters, but managed to return to base and crashed near Ludham, Norfolk, England. SSG Saunders’ courageous action, devotion to duty and extraordinary heroism that day were directly responsible for the safe return of his plane and crew and earned him, at the cost of his life, the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

SSG Saunders died of his wounds on 15 October, one week after the mission.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross
Purple Heart
Army Good Conduct Medal
American Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal
Army Air Force Aerial Gunner 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 W. Saunders (ASN: 36600511), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Gunner on a B-17 Heavy Bomber in the 418th Bombardment Squadron, 100th Bombardment Group (H), EIGHTH Air Force, while participating in a bombing mission over Germany on 8 October 1943. Sergeant Saunders, serving as the left waist gunner in the leading plane in the mission, was mortally wounded immediately after the bombing run. In spite of his painful and serious wounds, Sergeant Saunders remained at his post firing at the enemy fighters during their repeated attacks and refused first aid until the enemy attacks had ceased. Sergeant Saunders' courage, devotion to duty, and his heroism were directly responsible for the safe return of his plane and crew, and reflect great credit upon himself and the armed forces of the United States.

Headquarters, European Theater of Operations, U.S. Army, General Orders No. 97 (December 17, 1943)

Death and Burial

Staff Sergeant Lester W. Saunders is buried at the Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial in Coton, South Cambridgeshire District, Cambridgeshire, England in Plot D, Row 5, Grave 90.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56294071/lester-w-saunders