Son of WWII 305th Bombardment Group flight engineer honors his father’s memory and the CAN DO Wing.

Stuart Lockhart, 305th Air Mobility Wing historian, poses for a picture alongside Rodney Jester and his wife, Sadie, while regarding a display of items belonging to Rodney’s father, Tech Sgt. Edward Jester, who served with the World War II 305th Bombardment Group, inside the 305th Air Mobility Wing headquarters on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., Nov. 18, 2021. Jester donated his father’s belongings to the 305th AMW to preserve his legacy, his wartime service and to inspire and inform today’s Airmen. Flying 29 combat missions, Tech Sgt. Jester served with the CAN DO Group under the Eighth Air Force based at Chelveston, England in the air war against Nazi Germany during that conflict. Included in this display is Tech Sgt. Jester’s “lucky” relief can complete with battle damage from his 28th mission to the city of Kiel, Germany on 22 May 1944. Throughout his life, Edward Jester credited this frozen can as having saved his life. (U.S. Air Force photo by Daniel Barney)