WORLD MACHAL - Volunteers from overseas in the Israel Defense Forces

Leslie (Les) David Easterman

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Leslie Easterman in World War II

Leslie Easterman was born in Glasgow, Scotland, to Esther and Alexander Easterman on 7th July, 1920. His father was State Secretary of the World Jewish Congress.

Recruited into the Royal Air Force in 1940, Easterman qualified as a pilot in 1941. As the commencement of his service, he was a trainer pilot in Canada. In September 1944, after his return to the UK, he became a heavy bomber pilot in Lancaster planes and participated in 32 bombings over Germany. Serving as a pilot in Squadron 195, despite being injured on several occasions from enemy fire, he survived to receive the DFC. He also was awarded the 1939/45 Star, France and Germany Star, Defense Medal, and the War Medal 1939/45 for his activities on the European Front during World War II.

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Leslie Easterman – World War II

In July 1949 he came to Israel and served as Training Command Pilot at Sirkin air field from December 1951 until 1954. In 1954 he became Air Force Base Commander at Hatzor air base.

He was discharged from the IAF in 1956 and joined El Al.
Leslie Easterman died in June 1998.

Source: The Museum for the Jewish Soldier in World War II
http://www.jwmww2.org/