Flight Officer Lester Bryan Brooks died on 1st June 1944 when a U.S.A.A.F. B-17 came down on the slopes of Cave Hill in North Belfast killing all crew members.
Flight Officer
T-61593
Flight Officer Lester Bryan Brooks (T-61593) served in 306th Bomb Group (The Reich Wreckers), 8th United States Army Air Force during the Second World War. Born on 27th September 1920, he was the son of L.G. Bryan Brooks and Twila Mae Brooks (née Preston) of Carrollton, Carroll County, Ohio, U.S.A.
In civilian life, Lester graduated from Carrollton High School in 1939. Before his untimely death, he married Genevieve E. Rutledge Peterson. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps on 2nd February 1943, receiving his wings on 3rd November 1943 at George Field, Illinois, U.S.A. While based at McDill Field, Florida, U.S.A., he qualified as a B-17 pilot. He also trained at Fletcher Field, Mississippi, U.S.A. and Maxwell Field, Alabama, U.S.A.
Brooks died on 1st June 1944 aged 23 years old while serving as a pilot on B-17 #42-97862 en route from Gander, Newfoundland. The plane crashed in heavy fog at Cave Hill, Belfast while waiting for clearance to land at Nutts Corner Airfield, Co. Antrim. All 10 crew members in transfer from 401st Bomb Group died as a result.
Burial first took place at Lisnabreeny American Military Cemetery, Belfast. After the war, Brooks was repatriated to Westview Cemetery, Carrollton, Carroll County, Ohio, U.S.A.