(Robert M. Littlefield)
2/Lt. Lester E. Jaklich
(Robert M. Littlefield)
2/Lt. Lester E. Jaklich
38th FS - 13 February 1944 - 10 August 1945 (Killed in Action)
| Assigned Aircraft |
P-38J CG-W "Angel Puss" |
| Mission History |
Not Known |
| Mission List |
Not Known |
| Air Scores |
0-0-0 |
| Ground Scores |
0-0 |
| Notes | Entered service from Chicago, Illinois. 13 February 1944 - Joined the 38th Fighter Squadron 10 August 1944 - Killed in Action MACR No. 07771 1/Lt. William J. Reilly reported: "Lt. Jaklich was leading Hellcat Red flight and I was leading the element. After we had dive bombed a couple of marshalling yards, we discovered five half-track armored vehicles on the road and set up a traffic pattern on them. On the second pass I saw the turrets on the half-tracks following us around so I called Lt. Jaklich and he made a pass on one and I made one on the other and we came out 180 degrees to each other. I turned to follow him and when I completed the turn he had disappeared. I circled the immediate area for times and called him twice but received no answer. About three minutes later I heard, 'Hellcat, (inaudible), (inaudible), (two words) bailing out'. This was undoubtedly Lt. Jaklich as no one else had gone down at that time." German J 1946 reported: "Date/time aircraft shot down: 10 August 1944, 17.00 hour. Place of crash: north-east of Romilly (France). Type aircraft: Mustang. Presumably touched trees in low level flight. CG W, 95% destroyed. Dead not recognizable. Target: air base Romilly, 38 F. Sqd. Reporting office: Air Base Headquarters, Romilly. Crew: 1 unknown dead. Buried: 12 August 44, rural-cemetery of Fere Champenoise." It was the opinion of some of his squadron mates that he was killed after a successful bailout. 1/Lt. Jaklich
is now buried at Epinal American Military Cemetery and Memorial, Dinoze,
France. |
| Memories | |