Charles M Hester

Private First Class Charles M Hester was killed in action on December 6, 1944 in France during World War II.  He was 33 years old.

Charles Montgomery Hester was born on August 5, 1911 in Robeson County, North Carolina, the son of Rev. Charles Robinson Hester and Bessie Pearl Gause Hester.  Prior to entry into the U. S. Army, he was employed in Henderson, North Carolina and married to Lydia Spaulding Hester.

PFC Hester was inducted into the U.S. Army on July 19, 1943 and served with the 320th Infantry Regiment, 35th Division which landed on Omaha Beach, Normandy July 5-7, 1944 and entered combat on July 11, fighting in the Normandy hedgerows north of St. Lo. The division entered St. Lo on July 18. After mopping up in the St. Lo area, it took part in the offensive action southwest of St. Lo, pushing the Germans across the Vire River on August 2, and breaking out of the Cotentin Peninsula.  Advancing across France through Orleans and Sens, the division attacked across the Moselle on September 13, captured Nancy on September 15, secured Chambrey October 1, and drove on to the German border.

Under orders to the 35th Infantry Division to attack and seize objectives in the vicinity of Ernstviller, Heckenransbach, and Grundviller and then to continue the attack over the Sarre River,   the 3d Battalion, of the 320th Infantry closed into Kappelkinger on December 2, 1944. During the afternoon, the 320th Infantry had its 1st Battalion move to the vicinity of Insming and its 2d Battalion to  the vicinity of Hilsprich.   On December 4, during the blackness of early morning, both regiments jumped off. To produce the element of surprise, no artillery preparation preceded the attack. The 320th Infantry's drive proceeded the morning of December 5, and all Battalions conducted reconnaissance of the Sarre River during the night.  PFC Hester was killed in action on December 6, 1944, prior to the crossing of the Sarre River which took place the following day. 

Private First Class Charles M. Hester is buried in Oak Ridge Cemetery, St. Pauls, North Carolina.

Last edited: 30 May 2026