Lester C. McLaney
Photo: Lester McLaney while assigned to H Company 29th Infantry Regiment, Fort Benning, GA 1940
NAME: Lester C. McLaney
ASN: 6966537
PLACE OF BIRTH: Hartford, AL
DATE OF BIRTH: 11 Dec 1916
DATES OF SERVICE: 00 Jun 1938 - 27 Apr 1970
UNIT ASSIGNED:
H Company, 29th Infantry Regiment
Provisional Test Platoon, The Infantry Board
501st Parachute Battalion
504th Parachute Battalion
F Co 2nd Bn 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment
F Co 2nd Bn 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment
Svc Co 2nd Bn 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment
HHC 509th Parachute Infantry Battalion
CAMPAIGNS: Algeria - French Morocco, Tunisia, Naples - Foggia, Anzio, Rome - Arno, Southern France
AWARDS: Combat Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge with four combat jump stars, Purple Heart Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Army Commendation Medal (Post WWII), Good Conduct Medal, EAME Campaign Medal with arrowhead device and five bronze campaign star devices, WWII Victory Medal, French 3rd Zouaves Regiment Badge, Distinguished (Presidential) Unit Citation with oak leaf cluster
SUMMARY OF SERVICE:
00 Jun 1938 - Enlisted in the Regular Army
Was with H Company, 29th Infantry Regiment
26 Jun 1940 - Volunteered for Provisional Test Platoon, The Infantry Board, Fort Benning, GA
01 Jul 1940 - Headquarters 29th Infantry Regiment Special Order 127 - 5. Pursuant to authority granted by letter Headquarters The Infantry School, file No.580, subject : Test Platoon for duty with Infantry Board, dated July 1, 1940, the following named officer end enlisted men of the 29th Infantry are detailed on special duty with the Infantry Board, Fort Benning, Georgia, and will report to the president thereof for duty
01 Jul 1940 - Pfc. Lester C. McLaney to special duty with the Provisional Test Platoon
Lived in tents near Lawson Field and conducted training in one of the hangars
00 Aug 1940 - Three Douglas B-18A Bombers transported the test platoon to Maguire Field which was next to Camp Dix where they stayed in barracks. They moved to the Safe Parachute Company at Highstown, NJ where two 150 feet towers were located. One tower was a controlled drop tower and the other a free fall tower.
After completion of tower training the Provisional Test Platoon returned to Lawson Field, Fort Benning, GA
16 Aug 1940 - Began qualifying parachute jumps from a C-33 at 1500ft five men per pass with each jumper being individually tapped out
22 Aug 1940 - Provisional Test Platoon conducts 3rd jump as a full stick (plane load) at a time
29 Aug 1940 - Made final fifth qualfying parachute jump. A Provisonal Test Platoon jump from three C-33 aircraft in trail formation with a tactical field problem. Their jump was viewed by General Lynch, Major Lee, General Marshall, and Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson
21 Sep 1940 - Pfc. Lester C. McLaney direct support to Provisional Test Platoon, departed Fort Benning, GA to attend Parachute Rigger School at Chanute Field, IL
30 Sep 1940 - Pfc. Lester C. McLaney listed on the H Company, 29th Infantry (Rifles) Fort Benning, GA monthly roster as follows: 29. McLaney, Lester C. 6966537 DS Provisional Test Plat The Inf Board and atchd to Air Corp Ft Benning Ga to DS Chanute Fld Ill 21st
01 Oct 1940 - 501st Parachute Battalion is formed and Pfc. Lester C. McLaney is assigned to Headquarters Company
15 Nov 1940 - Pfc. Lester McLaney graduated and qualified as a Parachute Rigger from the Department of Mechanics, Air Corps Technical School, Chanute Field, IL
00 May 1941 - 501st Parachute Battalion deploys to Panama
00 Jun 1941 - 501st Parachute Battalion returns to Fort Benning, GA
15 Jun 1941 - Re-enlisted at Fort Benning, GA - NARA Enlistment Record
| ARMY SERIAL NUMBER | 06966537 | 06966537 |
| NAME | MC#LANEY#LESTER#C####### | MC#LANEY#LESTER#C####### |
| RESIDENCE: STATE | 41 | ALABAMA |
| RESIDENCE: COUNTY | 061 | GENEVA |
| PLACE OF ENLISTMENT | 4341 | FT BENNING GEORGIA |
| DATE OF ENLISTMENT DAY | 15 | 15 |
| DATE OF ENLISTMENT MONTH | 06 | 06 |
| DATE OF ENLISTMENT YEAR | 41 | 41 |
| GRADE: ALPHA DESIGNATION | PFC# | Private First Class |
| GRADE: CODE | 7 | Private First Class |
| BRANCH: ALPHA DESIGNATION | INF | Infantry |
| BRANCH: CODE | 10 | Infantry |
| FIELD USE AS DESIRED | # | # |
| TERM OF ENLISTMENT | 9 | Three year enlistment |
| LONGEVITY | ### | ### |
| SOURCE OF ARMY PERSONNEL | 1 | Enlisted Man, Regular Army, within 3 months of Discharge or former WAAC Auxiliary |
| NATIVITY | 41 | ALABAMA |
| YEAR OF BIRTH | 16 | 16 |
| RACE AND CITIZENSHIP | 1 | White, citizen |
| EDUCATION | 3 | 3 years of high school |
| CIVILIAN OCCUPATION | 268 | Soldiers, sailors, marines, and coast guards, n.e.c. |
| MARITAL STATUS | 6 | Single, without dependents |
| COMPONENT OF THE ARMY | 1 | Regular Army (including Officers, Nurses, Warrant Officers, and Enlisted Men) |
| CARD NUMBER | # | # |
| BOX NUMBER | 0046 | 0046 |
| FILM REEL NUMBER | 1.39# | 1.39# |
29 Mar 1942 - 2nd Bn 503rd PIR relocated to Fort Bragg, NC
01 Jun 1942 - 2nd Bn 503rd PIR arrives at Fort Dix, NJ
03 Jun 1942 - 2nd Bn 503rd PIR departs Fort Dix, JN for Cunard Line Docks
04 Jun 1942 - 2nd Bn 503rd PIR sets sail for England on Queen Elizabeth
10 Jun 1942 - 2nd Bn 503rd PIR arrives in Glasgow, Scotland
11 Jun 1942 - 2nd Bn 503rd PIR arrives Chilton Foliat, England
22 Jul 1942 - 2nd Bn 503rd PIR trains at the British Assault Course at Woolacombe
12 Oct 1942 - First Lady Elenor Roosevelt reviews the troops of the 2nd Bn 503rd PIR at Chilton Foliat
02 Nov 1942 - 2nd Bn 503rd PIR redesignated 2nd Bn 509th PIR
08 Nov 1942 - TSgt. Lester C. McLaney 6966537 F Co 2nd Bn 509th PIR Hartford, AL Participated in Operation VILLIAN (TORCH) the airborne invasion of North Africa aircraft tail number: 41-7805, Bn Plane 38, D Flight Plane: 9 Seat: 1 Combat Weight: 265 lbs
15 Nov 1942 - Participated in combat jump at Youks les Bains, Algeria to secure airfield
02-03 Dec 1942 - Participated in the battle of Faid Pass, Tunisia
13 Jun 1943 - T/Sgt. Lester C. McLaney 6966537 Svc Co 2nd Bn 509th PIR, Hometown: Hartford, AL, listed on Service Company Roster
15 Jul 1943 - T/Sgt. Lester C. McLaney 6966537 Svc Co 2nd Bn 509th PIR 27 Aug 40 to 15 Jul 43 GO8 Awarded Good Conduct Medal, 3yrs svc
14 Sep 1943 - T/Sgt. Lester C. McLaney 6966537 2nd BN 509th PIR Participated in Operation GIANT III the airborne invasion of Avellino, Italy
23 Oct 1943 - Morning Report - Hq and Hq Company Det. 2nd Bn 509th Prcht Inf Naples, Italy, 6966537 McLaney, Lester C. T/Sgt. asgnd from det to Svc. Co. this Bn.
23 Oct 1943 - Morning Report - Service Company 2nd Bn 509th Prcht Inf Naples, Italy, 6966537 McLaney, Lester C. T/Sgt. Trsfd from Hq and Hq Co. Det. this Bn.
09 Nov 1943 - 509th PIB participates in combat operations at Venafro, Italy
14 Dec 1943 - 509th PIB is withdrawn from the line at Venafro for R and R in Naples and to prepare for follow on operations
20 Jan 1944 - Morning Report HQ and HQ Company 509th PIB At Sea (Ship Winchester Castle) Baia Bay, Italy - 6966537 McLaney, Lester C T/Sgt
22 Jan 1944 - T/Sgt. Lester C. McLaney 6966537 HHC 509th PIB Participated in Operation SHINGLE the amphibious invasion of Anzio, Italy, 509th PIB attached to 6615th Ranger Force landing at Beach X-RAY, YELLOW
00 Apr 1944 - 509th PIB withdrawn from Anzio for R and R and to prepare for follow on operations
10 Apr 1944 - T/Sgt. Lester C. McLaney 6966537 HHC 509th PIB GO 5 Award of Combat Infantryman Badge - The following named Officers and Enlisted Men of Companies indicated having fulfilled all requirements as set forth in Par #3. a&b, Section I, WD Circular #269, dated 27 October 1943, are hereby announced as Combat Infantrymen and are entitled to wear the badge as specified in WD Circular above.
03 May 1944 - Admissions Report 53rd Station Hospital APO 782 Admin No 13237 McLaney, Lester C. T/Sgt 6966537 Chaneroid old TWP
05 May 1944 - Morning Report - Hq and Hq Co 509th Prcht Inf. Bn. Piscinola, Italy Naples 6966537 McLaney, Lester C. T/Sgt duty to absent sick, 118th SH
07 May 1944 - Admissions Report 53rd Station Hospital APO 782 Admin No 13237 McLaney, Lester C. T/Sgt 6966537 Duty Organization: 509th Para Inf. DT
08 May 1944 - Morning Report - Hq and Hq Co 509th Prcht Inf. Bn. Piscinola, Italy Naples 6966537 McLaney, Lester C. T/Sgt absent sick to duty
09 May 1944 - T/Sgt. Lester C. McLaney 6966537 SO #112 Hq, 7th Replacement Depot, Personnel Center #6 APO 372. para. 6. Fol named O and EM, (BTU) having been retd to orgns indicated, o/a 8 May 44, UP Cir #54, NATOUSA, cs, and having been reld fr asgd Pers Ctr #6, fr atchd units indicated, 7th Repl Dep, is hereby confirmed and made of record. Reld fr atchd 2649th Repl Co (Prov) 29th Repl Bn to 509th Para Inf Bn.
22 May 1944 - T/Sgt Lester E. McLaney 6966537 Hq Co 509th PIB assigned as Rigger, listed on manifest for Operation Ledger (This operation was cancelled) Bn Plane: 23, Co Hq Plane: 14, Seat 9
05 Jun 1944 - Morning Report - Hq and Hq Co 509th Prcht Inf Bn. Paestum, Italy (Salerno) 6966537 McLaney, Lester C T/Sgt From forward to rear for duty
07 Jun 1944 - Morning Report - Hq and Hq Co 509th Prcht Inf Bn. Paestum Airstrip, Italy (Salerno) 6966537 McLaney, Lester C T/Sgt From duty rear to duty forward
23 Jun 1944 - Morning Report - Hq and Hq Co 509th Prcht Inf Bn. Ostia Lido 58 Easting GSGS 4162 APO 464 6966537 McLaney, Lester C T/Sgt duty ch to 585. MOS remains 340
15 Aug 1944 - T/Sgt. Lester C. McLaney 6966537 HHC 509th PIB Participated in Operation DRAGOON (RUGBY FORCE) the airborne invasion of Southern France Bn Plane 13, Hq Co Plane 4, Seat 2 Landed on Drop Zone C southeast of LeMuy, France
00 Nov 1944 - T/Sgt. Lester C. McLaney 6966537 HHC 509th PIB Wounded In Action - Knee from a land mine while conducting combat patrols in the vicinity of Lantesque, France
00 Nov 1944 - T/Sgt. Lester C. McLaney 6966537 HHC 509th PIB Evacuated to Battalion Aid Station - Diagnosis: First Location: Knee region - Popliteal space; Causative Agent: Land Mine, While A foot Type of Injury - Casualty, battle, Injured in Line of Duty
06 Nov 1944 - Admission and Disposition Reports 78th Station Hospital APO 772, Admin No. 11853 ASN: 696637, TSgt McLaney, Lester C. HQ Co 509th PIB BWA, Source of Admission 78th Station Hospital Diagnosis: Wounds penatrating mod sv inner border left knee
08 Nov 1944 - Admissions 43rd General Hospital APO 420, Admin No. 15174 ASN: 696637, TSgt McLaney, Lester C. HQ Co 509th PIB SWA, Source of Admission 514 Cir Co Diagnosis: Multiple penatrating wounds knee, leg and thigh - HF
01 Dec 1944 - Morning Report - Det of Pts, 43d General Hospital, Les Milles, 3 mi. W. BT 4638, 6966537 McLaney, Lester C. T/Sgt Trf fr AUN per par 11, SO #257, Hq 43d Gen Hosp
02 Dec 1944 - T/Sgt. Lester C. McLaney 6966537 HHC 509th PIB Discharged from Battalion Aid Station returned to Duty
02 Dec 1944 - Morning Report - Hq and Hq Company, 509th Prcht. Inf. Bn. MAP: Grasse-Cannes 36/42,43 1/50,000 4898 8333 vic Nice, Southern France. 6966537 McLaney, Lester C. 1st Sgt. RTD-BC (Returned to Duty - Battale Casualty
22 Dec 1944 - 509th PIB departs Villers-Cotterets for the Ardennes (Battle of the Bulge) arrives in Manhay, Belgium and begins to conduct combat operations on the Northern Shoulder of the Bulge.
28 Dec 1944 - 509th PIB participates in the Battle of Sadzot stopping a Panzer Grenadier Regiment and the last attempt of the German main effort to drive to Antwerp
12 Jan 1945 - 509th PIB conducts combat operations with 7th Armored Division in vicinity of Born, Belgium
27 Jan 1945 - T/Sgt. Lester C. McLaney 6966537 HHC 509th PIB Wounded In Action - Arm from artillery shrapnel
27 Jan 1945 - T/Sgt. Lester C. McLaney 6966537 HHC 509th PIB Evacuated to General Hospital - Diagnosis: Wound(s), perforating (points of entrance and exit) with no nerve or artery involvement; Location: Arm; Causative Agent: Artillery Shell, Other or Unspec to Blast, Fragments, Debris. Type of Injury: Battle casualty; Injury Type 2: All battle casualties, and all battle injuries not intentionally inflicted by self or another person. Medical Treatment Debridement (removal of all foreign matter and dead tissue) without closure
05 Mar 1945 - Headquarters, 177th General Hospital APO 562, GO #33, II. AWARD OF BRONZE OAK LEAF CLUSTER By direction of the President, under the provisions of AR 600-45, 22 September 1943, as amended, in addition to the Purple Heart previously awarded, a bronze Oak-Leaf Cluster is awarded to: First Sergeant Lester C. McLaney, ASN 6966537, Infantry, United States Army, for wounds received as a result of enemy action on 27 January 1945, in Belgium. Entered military service from Alabama.
00 Mar 1945 - T/Sgt. Lester C. McLaney 6966537 HHC 509th PIB Discharged from General Hospital returned to Duty
14 Jul 1945 - Lester C. McLaney registered for the Draft in Geneva, AL
19 Oct 1945 - War Department General Order No. 89 - COMMENDATION - Member of Test Platoon, Parachute Troops and Air Infantry, United States Army.
V. COMMENDATION. The following named officers and enlisted men, members of the Test Platoon, Parachute Troops and Air Infantry, United States Army, are commended for service set forth in the citation below: is commended for meritorious conduct in the performance of hazardous service from July to September 1940. Organized under the direction of the War Department at a strength of 2 officers and 46 enlisted men from selected volunteers of the 29th Infantry Regiment, it pioneered experimentation to determine the feasibility of employing paratroopers in modern warfare. Long and laborious application to dangerous assignments was necessary to carry out the tactical experiments. Beginning with parachute jumps from low altitudes, the test went on the mass jump on 22 August and the first successful platoon jump involving a tactical problem on 29 August. Although several were injured, the steadfastness and loyalty of purpose of every rank never faltered. The intricate problems of parachute technique were solved, special parachute equipment was designed, test jump, and refined, and the organization and minor tactics of parachute infantry were established. Highly successful airborne operation in all theater of operations throughout the war attest to the achievement of the Test Platoon."
18 Jul 1948 - Lester C. McLaney ASN: 6966537, Hometown: Geneva, AL, listed on Reunion LIST A
1948 - Lester re-entered the Army and returned to the grade of Sergeant assigned to the Parachute Maintenance Company 82nd Abn. Div., (1948 Special Troops Yearbook)
1950 - Living at Fort Bragg as a Soldier (1950 Census)
Served in Korea
05 Nov 1957 - M/Sgt Lester C. McLaney ASN: RA-6966537 listed on Military Air Transport Service Manifest Aircraft C-97 number 2589, Flight No. 243V/308 departing Hickam Field, HI enroute to ENIWETOK, Marshall Islands
1958 - SFC 82d Quartermaster Parachute Supply and Maintenance Company (1958 Support Group yearbook)
1959 - 82nd Abn. Div. first sergeant, 82nd Quartermaster Parachute Supply and Maintenance Company.
1962 - Sergeant Major, Support Group, 82nd Abn. Div
1965 - Sergeant Major, 3rd Civil Affairs Group, Fort Clayton, Panama Canal Zone
1970 - Sergeant Major 2nd Logistical Command in Okinawa.
Served in Vietnam
27 Apr 1970 - Honorably Discharged
10 Feb 1972 - Passed away, buried in Lafayette, Memorial Park, Fayetteville, Cumberland County, NC
Members of the Parachute Test Platoon
Officers, Warrant Officer and Enlisted Men of the Parachute Test Platoon
Photo possibly taken in Italy
Parachute Test Platoon demonstrate exit from a C-33 while wearing T-4 parachutes
Lester McLaney in Italy - possibly Naples
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