Hugh B. Hester
Encyclopedia
Hugh Bryan Hester was an Army Brigadier General
born in Hester, North Carolina. He was a decorated officer in both World Wars. Later in life, he was a noted critic of U.S. foreign policy.
graduating in 1917. Hester enlisted in the Army during World War I and became a 2nd Lieutenant in the 12th Field Artillery of the 2nd Infantry Division. In 1918, he was promoted to Captain and participated in the occupation of Germany in 1919. He was wounded in action and was awarded the Silver Star
and the Croix de Guerre
.
After the war, Hester worked as an ROTC instructor (1924–1928) at the University of Missouri
. In the 1930s, he joined the Quartermaster's Corps, working in New Mexico, and gaining the rank of Colonel. A career officer in the Army, he served under General MacArthur in the Pacific Theater, in supply and procurement (1942–1945). After the war, he became Chief of the U.S. Food and Agriculture Program in Germany. This led to the award of the French Legion of Honor. In 1947-48, Hester was appointed the military attache to Australia. He worked as commanding General of the Philadelphia Quartermaster Depot
until his retirement as a Brigadier General
in 1951.
, and George Washington University
, in the areas of law and international relations, but did not earn a degree. Hester was an outspoken opponent of U.S. foreign policy for the remainder of his life. He published a book, "On the Brink", with Dr. Jerome Davis in 1959. It expressed concerns about the Cold War
and suggested that new U.S. policies were needed. Hester was a common speaker at peace rallies in the 1960s and authored many opinion and editorial pieces. He was a special correspondent for The Nation
, The Churchman, and U.S. Farm News, as well as a speaker on the lecture circuit. In 1971, he published "Twenty-Six Disastrous Years" which criticized U.S. foreign policy. Hester argued for disarmament, weapons control, and world government.
.
Brigadier general (United States)
A brigadier general in the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, is a one-star general officer, with the pay grade of O-7. Brigadier general ranks above a colonel and below major general. Brigadier general is equivalent to the rank of rear admiral in the other uniformed...
born in Hester, North Carolina. He was a decorated officer in both World Wars. Later in life, he was a noted critic of U.S. foreign policy.
Education and career
Hugh Hester attended the University of North CarolinaUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public research university located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States...
graduating in 1917. Hester enlisted in the Army during World War I and became a 2nd Lieutenant in the 12th Field Artillery of the 2nd Infantry Division. In 1918, he was promoted to Captain and participated in the occupation of Germany in 1919. He was wounded in action and was awarded the Silver Star
Silver Star
The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
and the Croix de Guerre
Croix de guerre
The Croix de guerre is a military decoration of France. It was first created in 1915 and consists of a square-cross medal on two crossed swords, hanging from a ribbon with various degree pins. The decoration was awarded during World War I, again in World War II, and in other conflicts...
.
After the war, Hester worked as an ROTC instructor (1924–1928) at the University of Missouri
University of Missouri
The University of Missouri System is a state university system providing centralized administration for four universities, a health care system, an extension program, five research and technology parks, and a publishing press. More than 64,000 students are currently enrolled at its four campuses...
. In the 1930s, he joined the Quartermaster's Corps, working in New Mexico, and gaining the rank of Colonel. A career officer in the Army, he served under General MacArthur in the Pacific Theater, in supply and procurement (1942–1945). After the war, he became Chief of the U.S. Food and Agriculture Program in Germany. This led to the award of the French Legion of Honor. In 1947-48, Hester was appointed the military attache to Australia. He worked as commanding General of the Philadelphia Quartermaster Depot
Philadelphia Quartermaster Depot
The Philadelphia Quartermaster Depot, now known as the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, was founded as the Schuylkill Arsenal in 1799.-History:...
until his retirement as a Brigadier General
Brigadier general (United States)
A brigadier general in the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, is a one-star general officer, with the pay grade of O-7. Brigadier general ranks above a colonel and below major general. Brigadier general is equivalent to the rank of rear admiral in the other uniformed...
in 1951.
Later years
After retirement from the Army, Hester studied at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, University of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
, and George Washington University
George Washington University
The George Washington University is a private, coeducational comprehensive university located in Washington, D.C. in the United States...
, in the areas of law and international relations, but did not earn a degree. Hester was an outspoken opponent of U.S. foreign policy for the remainder of his life. He published a book, "On the Brink", with Dr. Jerome Davis in 1959. It expressed concerns about the Cold War
Cold War
The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
and suggested that new U.S. policies were needed. Hester was a common speaker at peace rallies in the 1960s and authored many opinion and editorial pieces. He was a special correspondent for The Nation
The Nation
The Nation is the oldest continuously published weekly magazine in the United States. The periodical, devoted to politics and culture, is self-described as "the flagship of the left." Founded on July 6, 1865, It is published by The Nation Company, L.P., at 33 Irving Place, New York City.The Nation...
, The Churchman, and U.S. Farm News, as well as a speaker on the lecture circuit. In 1971, he published "Twenty-Six Disastrous Years" which criticized U.S. foreign policy. Hester argued for disarmament, weapons control, and world government.
Personal life
Hugh Bryan Hester was born in Hester, North Carolina on August 5, 1895 to William Alexander Hester and Marietta Bullock (Hester). He married Pauline Hester Green in 1935. She died January 8, 1981. Hugh Hester died of natural causes on November 25, 1983 in Asheville, North CarolinaAsheville, North Carolina
Asheville is a city in and the county seat of Buncombe County, North Carolina, United States. It is the largest city in Western North Carolina, and the 11th largest city in North Carolina. The City is home to the United States National Climatic Data Center , which is the world's largest active...
.