Lester Livingston Long, Jr. was born to Lester L. and Inez Long on October 16, 1922, in Mitchell, South Dakota. Lester enjoyed his childhood in Parker, South Dakota, where he was named "Outstanding Junior" and participated in music, typing, athletics, and achieved scholastically. After his graduation from Parker High School, Lester attended South Dakota State College in Brookings, South Dakota. Lester married Ruth J. Gress on October 19, 1942, three months before entering the service. Lester and Ruth had one son, Johnny Allen Long.

Rod Hall, an underclassman at the time of Lester’s graduation from high school, remembers Lester as being an exceptional athlete. "He had a superb jump of some twenty feet only to be out jumped by Freddie Blundell of Hurley by a quarter of an inch," said Hall.

Lester entered the Army on January 1, 1943. He was trained in the Signal Corps Training School in Aberdeen, South Dakota. From entering the service until May of 1944, T-5 Long remained in the United States. In May of 1944, T-5 Long was sent to Leyte Island, Philippine Islands.

On November 16, 1944, Army Technician Fifth Grade Lester L. Long, Jr. was Killed in Action on Leyte Island of the Philippine Islands. Rod Hall sent the following information about his death:

When the telegram from the War Department came to Parker it was Lester Long, Sr., who was on duty at the Milwaukee depot. Taking the message about his only son, Lester, Sr., lost the concentration and telegraphed back to have the message repeated. Sadly, there was no mistake.

T-5 Long was survived by his parents, Lester L. and Inez Long, his wife, Ruth J. Long, and his son, Johnny Allen Long.

Lester Livingston Long, Jr. gave his life for his country. He will be remembered by all who knew him as a man who loved his country.

This entry was respectfully submitted by Stephanie Roth, 11^th Grade, Parker High School, Parker, South Dakota, April 30, 2002. Information was provided by Mr. Rod Hall, Mitchell, South Dakota, friend of Lester Livingston Long, Jr., application for South Dakota Veteran’s Bonus, and Parker High School Yearbook.