Scope and Contents

Photographs, films, personnel files, military documents, flight logs, newspaper clippings, funeral programs for Elmer Hester, and military awards citations document the military careers of Elmer, John and Charles Hester. The films and flight logs belonged to Elmer Hester. Most materials date from the war era.

Biographical / Historical

Elmer Hester, the father of John and Charles Hester, was born in Throckmorton, Texas in 1921. In 1941, Elmer volunteered for the United States Army Air Corps, which later became the United States Air Force. He served a total of twenty-eight years in the military, a career that spanned World War II, the Korean War, and the beginning of the Vietnam Conflict. During the Vietnam Conflict, Elmer was ranked as Major and served as a Forward Air Controller (FAC), stationed in Da Nang and Nakom Phanom, Thailand. He was involved in the siege of Khe Sanh and the cleanup of My Lai after Lieutenant Calley. In 1969, Elmer Hester retired from the military as a Lieutenant Colonel after having received the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Bronze Star. After his service, he became the publisher of the Throckmorton Tribune and was a farmer until his death in 26 April 2002.

John Hester was born at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma in 1954. In 1973, John volunteered for the United States Marine Corps, beginning eight years of total service. During this time, John served with Marine Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron 3 (VMFP 3 Headquarters & Maintenance Squadron 11 (H&MS 11), and Marine Air Group 11 (MAG 11) while stationed at El Toro Marine Corps Air Station in California and with the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, California as a Drill Instructor. In 1981, John Hester was discharged as a Sergeant.

Charles Hester was born in 1948. He volunteered for the United States Army and served a total of ten years, one of which was served in Southeast Asia as a Specialist 5. Charles Hester was killed in 1976.