Lester took basic training in California then was shipped to the Aleutian Islands where he stayed a short time before being shipped to the Philippines where he spent the rest of his time fighting on Leyte, Luzon and Okinawa. He served as Platoon leader and received several service medals including Asiatic Pacific service Medal, Philippine Liberation ribbon with 2 Bronze Stars and Bronze Service Arrowhead Pacific Theater. He was proud of his service to his country.