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William Walter Hester
Private First Class
I CO, 3RD BN, 4TH MARINES, 3RD MARDIV, III MAF United States Marine Corps Philadelphia, Pennsylvania May 10, 1949 to July 01, 1968 WILLIAM W HESTER is on the Wall at Panel W54, Line 29 See the full profile or name rubbing for William Hester |
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William W. Hester and Robert E. Church graduated together
On 16 May 1968, Bob Church was killed in action.
Six weeks later, on 01 July 1968,
Central Regional High School's Class of 1969
A memorial initiated by a fellow Vietnam veteran.
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the
SILVER STAR MEDAL
posthumously to
PRIVATE FIRST CLASS WILLIAM WALTER HESTER
for service as set forth in the following
CITATION
"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Grenadier with Company I, Third Battalion, Fourth Marines, Third Marine Division in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the morning of 1 July 1968, Company I's defensive perimeter near the Khe Sanh Combat Base was assaulted by a numerically superior North Vietnamese Army force, and after the Marines successfully repulsed the hostile attack, Private First Class HESTER's squad was assigned to search the area for any remaining enemy. Suddenly observing a small hostile group, one of the Marines immediately delivered a heavy volume of fire upon the enemy soldiers and exhausted his supply of ammunition. Reacting instantly, Private First Class HESTER fearlessly assaulted the hostile unit, killing a North Vietnamese soldier with his M-79 grenade launcher and preventing the remaining enemy from firing upon his defenseless comrade. Disregarding his own safety, he resolutely commenced reloading his weapon and was mortally wounded by hostile fire. Ignoring his painful injuries, he steadfastly remained in his dangerously exposed position and continued firing upon the enemy until he succumbed to his wounds. His bold initiative and resolute determination inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in saving the life of his fellow Marine. By his courage, aggressive fighting spirit and selfless devotion to duty, Private First Class HESTER contributed significantly to the accomplishment of his unit's mission and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country."
FOR THE PRESIDENT,
H. W. BUSE, JR. |
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The following article is taken from The Philadelphia Daily News, special supplement entitled 'SIX HUNDRED AND THIRTY,' October 26, 1987. The special supplement was issued in conjunction with the dedication of the Philadelphia Viet Nam Memorial. In 1967, Hester graduated from Central Regional High School in Bayville, NJ, where he was a star basketball player and a member of the All-Ocean County team. He could not find a job, so in August 1967, he enlisted in the Marine Corps to supplement his family's income. One month later, his older brother also joined the Marines. The 19-year-old private first class sent money to his brothers on their birthdays from Viet Nam. The rifleman was assigned to Company I of the 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines, 3rd Marine Division. Hester died on July 1, 1968, in Khe Sahn, Quang Tri Province. He was posthumously awarded the Silver Star. Survivors included his parents, four brothers and two sisters. SEMPER FIDELIS, MARINE!
From a native Philadelphian and Marine, |
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For William Hester, a great person with whom I had personal contact in high school. I tried out for the Central Regional High School basketball team in the fall of 1966 (for the 1966-1967 season). My first and lasting recollection of our basketball practices was this big intimidating leader of a man. He would lead us in our calisthenics and warm ups before our practices. My favorite memory was of him doing finger tip push ups. He would stop on every repetition and look around for people who were not keeping up and calmly keep goading people to do their push ups correctly. Of course, every one else was huffing and puffing and dying just to do one non-finger tip push up. I could still hear him saying, "Johnson, get your butt up in the air, stop being such a slouch" (or something of that sort). He was an inspiration to me not only for what he did in practice but especially how much he pushed himself and how intimidating he was during ball games. A big man with a big heart. Unfortunately, his physical stature may have lead to his undoing. A heartfelt remembrance of him is always with me. What a shame that such a person with such a heart had to leave us so early.
For the red badge of courage has claimed another heart
His stature, his courage, his energy and inspiration
And now we go on with our lives into our future
I look back to that man, that crazy man
Over and over we must go
From a teammate, Central Regional Basketball team, 1966-1967 |
A Note from The Virtual WallDuring the first two weeks of July 1968 India Company, 3/4 Marines, was stationed on Foxtrot Ridge, a hill mass on the south side of Highway 9 about 4 kilometers south-southeast of the Khe Sanh airfield. Khe Sanh was being abandoned at the time, and India 3/4's mission was to provide flank security for the convoys rolling east from Khe Sanh. The North Vietnamese repeatedly attacked the Foxtrot Ridge position with both infantry and indirect fire, resulting in 8 deaths among the Marines:
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