Background
Hester was born on 11 September 1886 in Albany, Georgia.
Hester was born on 11 September 1886 in Albany, Georgia.
He attended University of Georgia, before entered the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. Hester graduated in June 1908 and was commissioned second lieutenant of infantry. He was assigned to the Fort McPherson, Georgia, as his first assignment and served there until 1913.
An infantryman, he served on the Punitive Expedition, then in the WDGS, 1918-19 and 1936-39. In 1940 he became a brigadier general and the next year was made “Executive for Reserve Officers of the War Department”. In Aug 1941 he took command of the 43d Inf Div and on 13 Feb 1942 was promoted to major general. The division reached New Zealand on 23 Oct 42 and on 23 Feb 43 landed unopposed on the Russell Islands. Elements of the division took Vangunu and Rendova Islands against minor resistance on 30 June. But his troops bogged down on New Georgia, and on 29 July 1943 Hester was relieved by John R. Hodge. Shipped home, the general headed the Tank Destroyer Center (1943-44) and the Infantry Replacement Training Center (1944-45). He retired in 1946 and died 11 Feb 1976 in Atlanta. (Cullum.)