Col. Lester G. Taylor, Jr.

Les Taylor was a highly-decorated fighter pilot, flight leader, and squadron commander in World War II, flying the P-47 Thunderbolt and the P-51 Mustang in 87 combat missions over Europe out of Wretham, England with the 369th Fighter Squadron of the 359th Fighter Group, 8th Air Force from 1943 to 1945.  He was charged with escorting and protecting the big bombers as they made their way to European targets, and, most importantly, to make sure they made a safe return. His Air Force Career spanned 25 years.

His letters home reflect his selfless heroism.  He always told his parents that he would never place his own personal fighter goals above the goal of bringing the bombers home safely.  As a team player he became a Team Leader and Squadron Commander.  He could never know how many bomber pilot and crew lives he personally saved, but he was satisfied in knowing that the flights he commanded brought every one of his charges home.

He is a recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star, the Air Medal, the American Defense Medal, and the Air Force Commendation Medal with multiple Oak Leaf Clusters on each.  There is an honorarium in his name at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

He never liked talking about the war, but he loved talking about his children and his granddaughter/lunch buddy, Kim.  He was very proud of his engineering achievements, which included the construction of a school in Ankara, Turkey, and his assignment as Deputy Director of Engineering for the 8th Air Force at Westover AFB, where he retired from the Air Force in September, 1966, after over 25 years of service.

After his Air Force career, he distinguished himself again in the civilian world with NJDOT, and as Facilities Director at Trenton State College, now College of New Jersey.  He passed away from surgical complications in Flemington, NJ, on September 8th, 1978 at the young age of 59.

This website is a memorial to Col. Taylor on behalf of his children, Wayne, Patti and Steve; his granddaughter, Kim; and his wonderful grandchildren who sadly never had a chance to meet him, Molly, Megan, Steven, Kristen, Austin, and Trevor, but who all know him, simply and lovingly, as "Grandpa T".  Hopefully, this site will help them, and many others, learn about a true American hero.  It will be updated as new items are discovered.  It includes many documents, pictures, and anecdotes which were collected over the years by his beloved wife, and our mother, Genevieve J. (Jean) Taylor, the inspiration for the naming of each of his aircraft -- JEAN'S WARRIOR.

Mom passed away on May 15, 2008, at the age of 91.  She never remarried after losing Dad.  His son, and our brother, Steve, passed away on January 16, 2011.