Dwayne Donald Lester was the son of Ira and Anna Haley Lester. He was born April 4, 1918, in Philip, South Dakota. Mr. Lester went to school in Philip, South Dakota. Dwayne was a fine, likeable young man who made many friends. After graduating from Philip High School, he moved to Hot Springs. He drove truck and later worked as a taxicab driver in Hot Springs. He was also a clerk at the Black Hills Hotel in Hot Springs. Dwayne Lester met Lucille Haley in 1938, and they married in the spring of 1939. They moved to Denver and Mr. Lester worked at Remington Factory in Rapid. They had one son, Donald Eugene Lester, who was born May 27, 1940.

Staff Sergeant Dwayne Donald Lester enlisted in the Army in January, 1944. He received his basic training in South Carolina. Staff Sergeant Lester was in the military one year before coming home for the summer on furlough. He then went directly to England, where he landed in August. The next month he joined the 30^th Division of the First Army in France. As an infantryman, Sergeant Lester took part in chasing the Germans out of France, and in the hard fighting which took place in Belgium, Holland, and Germany. The 30^th or "Old Hickory" division, which Sergeant Lester joined in September, was the first outfit to crack the famed Siegfried line in Germany. It spearheaded almost every drive which the American Armies made against the enemy. On October 18, Sergeant Dwayne D. Lester was promoted from Private to Sergeant. He was then promoted to Staff Sergeant. While in the service he sent home a Christmas card to his wife and son:

Dearest Lucille and Donnie,
To two of the sweetest people I know. I’m wishing you a Merry X-mas and Happy New Year.
Dwayne

Staff Sergeant Dwayne D. Lester was killed in action in Belgium on January 15, 1945 according to a telegram by Colonel Walter M. Johnson, Colonel of the 117^th Infantry.

He died in the line of duty, in keeping with the highest standards and traditions of the Army and of his country which he served so nobly and well. No man could have done more to help bring an early end to this crusade for human freedom. He was a soldier and a man. Both officers and men of his unit miss him greatly, but his courageous example in making the supreme sacrifice has given all of us additional strength to complete the unfinished tasks before us.

Army Staff Sergeant Dwayne D. Lester received two Bronze stars and a citation in Germany in December for meritorious service. Staff Sergeant Dwayne Lester was originally buried in Belgium. He was later brought back to the United States and buried in Fort McPherson National Cemetery, Maxwell, Lincoln County, Nebraska.

I will remember the service and sacrifice of Staff Sergeant Dwayne D. Lester. He was a great man who served his country with the greatest of honor.

This biography was respectfully submitted by Haley McClure, 11^th grade at Hot Springs High School, Hot Springs, South Dakota, April 26, 2002. Information for this entry was provided by Mrs. Lucille Gillespie, Seattle Washington, wife of Army Staff Sergeant Dwayne D. Lester.