Lowell Earl Franklin Leffler was born on 16 March 1919. His parents were Harrison G. & Sofia O. (Umbaugh) Leffler. Lowell was a 1937 Graduate of Harding High School. Prior to service Leffler was employed at the Ben Payton Garage.
Lowell E. F. Leffler had volunteered for service in 1942, and was trained as a chemical warfare specialist. Leffler would serve in Alaska and the Aleutian Islands. He was then sent to Aviation Cadet training. He would receive his commission in March of 1943. Upon graduation Leffler would be recognized for completing his training with no accidents. He received the Gold Star Merit Award.
2nd Lt. Lowell E. F. Leffler was a pilot of a B-24 Liberator. He received training at Santa Anna, Ontario, Merced and Palmdale, California, and Douglas Arizona. Leffler was ordered to pick up his B-24 at Topeka, Kansas and on 1 November 1943, he was ordered overseas.
While overseas, Lt. Leffler was on missions at the Battles on the Marshall and Gilbert Islands. On 16 March 1944, Leffler would be promoted to 1st Lieutenant.
Lt. Leffler was assigned as a B-24 pilot with the 27th Bomber Squadron, 30th Bomber Group, Heavy. on 10 April 1944, Lt. Leffler and his crew took off from Eniwetock on a bombing mission over the Truk Atoll. They had successfully completed the bombing mission and upon return the B-24J (#42-73289) exploded for unknown reasons. The crew was lost and all were declared missing in action. Crew listed below.
While in service Lt. E. F. Leffler was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster and the Purple Heart.
Lt. E. F. Leffler is remember Honor Roll, at the Veterans Memorial Park in Marion, Ohio; on the west wall of the Marion County Courthouse; on the World War II Veterans Memorial Wall at the Marion Cemetery; as well as a family memorial in the Marion Cemetery.
Lt. E. F. Leffler is also remembered on the Walls of the Missing, Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, Manila, Capital District, National Capital Region, Philippines.

Crew of B-24J #42-73289:
1st Lt. Lowel E. F. Leffler, Pilot, OH
2nd Lt. John H. Baily, Co-Pilot, TX
SSgt. Gordon C. Berg, Gunner, WI
2nd Lt. David S. Clark, Navigator, NY
SSgt. John J. Kalter, Gunner, NY
TSgt. Henry Klock, Jr. , Engineer, NY
2nd Lt. Edward V. McDermott, Bombardier, RI
SSgt. Vernon F. Napolitano, Gunner, CA
TSgt. George C. Summers, Radio Operator, PA
SSgt. Earl B. Turner, Gunner, NY