Lester Wayne Seelig was born on September 5, 1921, in Hartford, Van Buren County, Michigan. He was the husband of Alberta Louise Mireley Seelig. He served in the 335th Bomber Squadron, 95th Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Technical Sergeant and Radio Operator of B-17G #42-31561 nicknamed "Just Elmer's Tune," during World War II.

On February 24, 1944, during its mission targeting Rostock, Germany, "Just Elmer's Tune" sustained significant damage from anti-aircraft flak, which struck engine number one and damaged the stabilizer. Unable to maintain formation, the aircraft fell behind and was further attacked by enemy fighters. The crew was forced to crash-land near Øster Højst, south of Løgumkloster, Denmark. Of the ten crew members, two were killed in action and the remaining eight crew members survived and were taken as prisoners of war.

TSgt Seelig was captured by German forces and held as a prisoner of war until his return to U.S. Military Control at the end of hostilities in May 1945. He retired as a tool and die maker from Formed Tubes in Sturgis. He was also a member of the Indiana Hoosier Chapter of the American Ex-Prisoners of War and the National Ex-Prisoners of War organizations before passing on April 30, 1992. TSgt Seelig is now buried in the Greenwood Cemetery, LaGrange, LaGrange County, Indiana, USA.

Source of information: b17flyingfortress.de, www.findagrave.com