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Maurice Jester

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Maurice D. Jester
Maurice D. Jester.jpg
Born 1889-05-13
Chincoteague, Virginia
Died 1957-08-31 (aged 68)
Chincoteague, Virginia
Occupation USCG sailor and officer
Known for First American captain to capture the crew of a U-boat

Maurice D. Jester was a notable member of the United States Coast Guard.[1][2] Jester enlisted in the Coast Guard as a surfman.[3] By 1936 he had risen to the rank of Chief Boatswain. In December 1941, after the USA entered World War II, Jester was given a Lieutenant's commission, and he was given command of the USCGC Icarus.

In 1942 Jester lead the Icarus during the sinking of the German U-boat U-352, successfully rescuing surviving German crew.[2][3] U-352 was larger and better armed than the Icarus. Jester received a Navy Cross for his leadership.

Historians noted that, after sinking the u-boat Jester had great difficulty getting instruction from his superiors as to whether or not he should rescue the crew of the sunken vessel.[4] At first Navy HQ in Norfolk instructed him to abandon them, and let them drown. He sought further instruction from the commandant of the Sixth Naval District, who ordered him to go back and rescue survivors.

An issue of Life magazine featured an image of Jester on its cover.[2]

Historians noted that, after sinking the U-boat Jester had great difficulty getting instruction from his superiors as to whether or not he should rescue the crew of the sunken vessel.[4] At first Navy HQ in Norfolk instructed him to abandon them, and let them drown. He sought further instruction from the commandant of the Sixth Naval District, who ordered him to go back and rescue survivors.

An issue of Life magazine featured an image of Jester on its cover.[5][2][6]

For security reasons Jester was not allowed to tell reporters details of the battle until 1943.[7] On May 1, 1943, after he was allowed to speak to the press, The New York Times published two stories about his exploits, one of which was on its front page.[8][9]

On August 24, 1944 The New York Times reported that the Destroyer Escort on which Jester's son Maurice, a lieutenant, was serving, had also been credited with sinking a U-boat.[10]

Legacy[edit]

In 2010, Charles "Skip" W. Bowen, who was then the Coast Guard's most senior non-commissioned officer, proposed that all the cutters in the Sentinel class should be named after enlisted sailors in the Coast Guard, or one of its precursor services, who were recognized for their heroism.[11][12][13] In late 2017 it was announced that a new Sentinel-class cutter USCGC Maurice Jester (WPC-1152) would bear his name.[14]

References[edit]

  1. ↑ William Preston. Heroic and Notable Coast Guard CPOs. United States Coast Guard. Retrieved on 2016-07-14. “The ICARUS was commanded by Lieutenant Maurice D. Jester, a former Chief Boatswains Mate with more than twenty five years of Coast Guard service.”
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Thomas P. Ostrom (2009). The United States Coast Guard in World War II: A History of Domestic and Overseas Actions. United States Coast Guard, 90, 193. ISBN 9780786453719. Retrieved on 2016-07-14. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 U-352. United States Coast Guard (2016-01-12). Retrieved on 2016-07-14. “Icarus was commanded by Lieutenant Maurice D. Jester. Jester was not a young officer lacking experience. He was 52 years old, having enlisted in the Coast Guard in 1917 as a surfman. During the next twenty years he served on five cutters, advancing to Chief Boatswain in 1935. In December 1941, he received a commission as a lieutenant and a month later was given command of Icarus.”
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Mark P. Schock (1978). SUMMARY JUSTICE: THE PRICE OF TREASON FOR EIGHT WORLD WAR II GERMAN PRISONERS OF WAR 66-70. Wichita State University.
  5. ↑ Life's cover, Life magazine, 1942-12-14, p. 24. Retrieved on 2021-01-24.
  6. ↑ Randy Kleine. Letters to the editor: America’s second Pearl Harbor, Clermont Sun, 2018-08-09. Retrieved on 2021-01-24. “In an amazing display of courage and skill, Lt Maurice D. Jester, commander of the U.S. Coast Guard 165 foot patrol boat Icarus, spotted U-352 on sonar, out-smarted German commander Hellmut Rathke, and using depth charges disabled and sank the U-352 taking Captain Rathke and 32 survivors prisoner. Jester was promoted to Lt. Commander and awarded the Navy Cross. He was featured on the cover of Life magazine.”
  7. ↑ Donald W. Patterson. 50 Years later, historic sinking: When WWII came to N.C., Greensboro News & Record, 1992-03-07. Retrieved on 2021-01-24. “However, news of the U-352 sinking wasn't made public for almost a year. Because prisoners were involved, the news made the front page of The New York Times. The sinking also got Jester's picture on the cover of Life magazine.”
  8. ↑ Cutter gets U-boat and 33 of its crew; Marauder Sunk Off Carolina Coast and Captain Seized by Coast Guard Craft, The New York Times, 1943-05-01, p. 1, 34. Retrieved on 2021-01-24. “This was the first time the Navy has announced the capture of prisoners from a German submarine.”
  9. ↑ Victor over U-boat describes his attack: Submarine Missed With Torpedo, Then Charges Crippled It, The New York Times, 1943-05-01, p. 34. Retrieved on 2021-01-24. “Lieut. Comdr. Maurice D. Jester, now assistant Coast Guard operations officer in the Seventh Naval District, with headquarters at Miami, told his story today on authority from Washington.”
  10. ↑ Like father like son; Parent Sank Nazi Submarine, Offspring Did Likewise, The New York Times, 1944-08-24, p. 21. Retrieved on 2021-01-24.
  11. ↑ Susan Schept. Enlisted heroes honored, United States Coast Guard, 2010-03-22. Retrieved on 2013-02-01. “After the passing of several well-known Coast Guard heroes last year, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Charles "Skip" Bowen mentioned in his blog that the Coast Guard does not do enough to honor its fallen heroes.”
  12. ↑ U.S. Coast Guard announces name for first Sentinel-class cutter, 2010-03-22. Retrieved on 2013-02-01. “Previously designated to be named the Coast Guard Cutter Sentinel, the cutter Bernard C. Webber will be the first of the service's new 153-foot patrol cutters. Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Thad Allen approved the change of the cutter's name to allow this class of vessels to be named after outstanding enlisted members who demonstrated exceptional heroism in the line of duty. This will be the first class of cutters to be named exclusively for enlisted members of the Coast Guard and its predecessor services.”
  13. ↑ FRC Plan B: The Sentinel Class, Defense Industry Daily, 2014-05-02. Retrieved on 2014-04-03. “All of these boats will be named after enlisted Coast Guard heroes, who distinguished themselves in USCG or military service. The first 25 have been named, but only 8 have been commissioned...”
  14. ↑ Coast Guard Aligns Names with Hull Numbers for its Sentinel-class FRCs, SEAPOWER Magazine, 2017-12-12. Retrieved on 2017-12-31.
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