Second Lieutenant Lester William Long

Son of Carroll L. Long of Akron. His mother, Muriel Olive Eddy Long , died in 1934.

January 7, 1943 Akron News-Reporter

Lester Long, in a message to his father, writes that he is now on St. Mary's Island in the Pacific. Lester enlisted as a naval cadet in July. He passed his civilian pilot test in Denver and is taking instruction to become a combat pilot.

July 22, 1944 The Sun Journal - New Bern, N.C.

Marine Flyer is Killed Near Here

Norfolk, July 22 (AP) - Second Lt. Lester William Long was fatally injured Thursday afternoon when his Navy land plane crashed in the Trent river near the Trent Pines club at New Bern, N.C., the Fifth Naval district announced today.

Lieutenant Long's father is listed as Carol Lester Long of Akron, Colo.

Mrs. Phil Sweeney and Mrs. Charles Linen, residents of the Trent Pines club, were swimming in the Trent river, off the dock at the Trent Pines club, at about 1:50 o'clock Thursday afternoon when the navy land plane piloted by Second Lt. Lester William Long crashed into the river nearby. They immediately jumped into a rowboat and went to the plane in an effort to aid the pilot.

Lieutenant Long, it is said, was tangled in his parachute which had apparently opened when he hit the water. R.S. Miner went to the assistance of the young women, and the three of them succeeded in getting the lieutenant to the dock. A physician was called, but he said that Lieutenant Long had been killed instantly in the accident.

The cause of the accident is not definitely known, but it is thought that the pilot misjudged his distance above the river and flew so low that the plane hit the water.

(This 1944 Centerville obit was provided without a source or date of publication.)

Lester Long, 20

Yesterday military services were held at the Central Church of Christ for 2nd Lt. Lester Long, who was killed in a plane crash at New Bern, North Carolina. H.E. Trimble, pastor, officiated and the Ray C. Walden Post of the American Legion conducted the military rites.

Lt. Long was a former CHS student here and had lived while in this city with his grandparents Mr. and Mrs. William Eddy at 929 S. Main Street. His home was in Akron, Colo.

Notes:

The immediate New Bern, North Carolina area had two Marine Corps Air Stations (Havelock and Cherry Point) during World War II.

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