Education
Hugh Hester attended the University of North Carolina graduating in 1917.
Hugh Hester attended the University of North Carolina graduating in 1917.
He was a decorated officer in both World Wars. Later in life, he was a noted critic of United States. foreign policy. 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 Reserve Officers Training Corps 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 United States. Food and Agriculture Program in Germany.
This led to the award of the French Legion of Honor. In 1947-1948, 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.
After retirement from the Army, Hester studied at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, University of Pennsylvania, and George Washington University, in the areas of law and international relations, but did not earn a degree.
Hester was an outspoken opponent of United States. foreign policy for the remainder of his life. He published a book, "On the Brink", with Doctor Jerome Davis in 1959.
lieutenant expressed concerns about the Cold War and suggested that new United States. 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 United States. Farm News, as well as a speaker on the lecture circuit.
In 1971, he published "Twenty-Six Disastrous Years" which criticized United States. foreign policy. Hester argued for disarmament, weapons control, and world government.