Ersel Ernest "Sonny" Lennier, Jr. was born 5 Jun 1924 in Sebastian Co., Ar. to Ersel Ernest, Sr. and Verna Mae Kating Lennier. On 4 Jul 1942 he married Dorothy Willis from Jenny Lind, Sebastian Co., Ar. His residence is listed as Bonanza, Sebastian Co. Ar. Ersel and Dorthy had one daughter, Carol Ann, born in 1943. On 10 Jun 1943 at Little Rock, Ar., Ersel E. Lennier enlisted in the US Army Air Corps as a Private. He soon became a Staff Sergeant with the 305th Bomber Group, Heavy, 422nd Bomber Squadron. On Oct 22, 1944 S/Sgt Lennier was killed in action and was memorialized at Plot F Row 1 Grave 84, Cambridge American Cemetery, Cambridge, England. This is an American Battle Monuments Commission location. S/Sgt Ersel Ernest Lennier, Jr. was awarded the Purple Heart and the Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters. The Air Medal was created in 1942 and is awarded for single acts of heroism or meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.