Technical Sergeant William E. Lester distinguished himself by gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as a Pararescue/Recovery Technician in Southeast Asia on 12 November 1969.  On that date, Sergeant Lester was a crewmember on an HH-53B helicopter which rescued an injured United States Air Force Pilot who had been shot down in the midst of a heavily defended hostile stronghold.  Two attempts were made in the face of intense ground fire and advancing hostile forces to rescue the survivor.  The second attempt was successful; but because of the nature of the survivor’s injuries, Sergeant Lester volunteered to descend to the ground and assist the immobile airman to the rescue penetrator.  Although hostile ground forces were advancing on the survivor and continuous ground fire was directed at Sergeant Lester and he successfully completed the rescue and saved the injured man from certain capture.  By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Sergeant Lester has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.