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Lessera William M.

Name:
William M. Lessera
Rank:
Sergeant
Serial Number:
Unit:
353rd Bomber Squadron, 301st Bomber Group, Heavy
Date of Death:
1963-01-25
State:
California
Cemetery:
Saint Mary's Catholic Cemetery and Mausoleum, Sacramento, Sacramento County, California
Plot:
Row:
Grave:
Decoration:
Air Medal, Purple Heart
Comments:

William M. Lessera was born on August 7, 1923, in California. He was the husband of Elizabeth Jean Sirrine Lessera.

William served in the 353rd Bomber Squadron, 301st Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Sergeant and Engineer/Top Turret Gunner on the B-17 #42-97580 during World War II.

On May 29, 1944, his crew took off from Lucera Airfield in Italy on a mission to bomb the Aerodrome in Wollersdorf, Austria. Their bomber was heavily hit by flak (anti-aircraft fire), and the aircraft exploded en route to the bombing site. Of the ten members who parachuted out of the flak-damaged and burning aircraft, 2 were killed, 5 were rescued by partisan forces, 2 were captured and taken as prisoners, and 1 died of wounds. Sgt Lessera was one of those who were rescued.

William died on January 25, 1963, at the age of 39. He is now buried in the Saint Mary's Catholic Cemetery and Mausoleum, Sacramento, Sacramento County, California.