Maurice D. Jester

Maurice David Jester (May 13, 1889 – August 31, 1957)[1] was a notable member of the United States Coast Guard.[2][3] Jester enlisted in the Coast Guard as a surfman in 1917.[4] By 1936 he had risen to the rank of Chief Boatswain. In December 1941, after the United States entered World War II, Jester was given a Lieutenant's commission, and he was given command of the USCGC Icarus (WPC-110).

Lt. Cmdr. Maurice Jester

In 1942 Jester led the Icarus during the sinking of the German U-boat U-352, successfully rescuing surviving German crew.[3][4] U-352 was larger and better armed than the Icarus. Jester received a Navy Cross and promotion to lieutenant commander for his leadership.[5]

An issue of Life magazine featured an image of Jester on its cover.[3] In late 2017 it was announced that a new Sentinel-class fast response cutter USCGC Maurice Jester (WPC-1152) would bear his name.[6]

References
  1. "ANC Explorer". Arlington National Cemetery. Retrieved 2017-12-31.
  2. William Preston. "Heroic and Notable Coast Guard CPOs". United States Coast Guard. Retrieved 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.
  3. Thomas P. Ostrom (2009). The United States Coast Guard in World War II: A History of Domestic and Overseas Actions. McFarland publishing. United States Coast Guard. pp. 90, 193. ISBN 9780786453719. Retrieved 2016-07-14.
  4. "U-352". United States Coast Guard. 2016-01-12. Retrieved 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.
  5. Rosen, David (January 4, 2018). "The Long Blue Line: Maurice Jester". Coast Guard Compass. Retrieved 2018-04-07.
  6. "Coast Guard Aligns Names with Hull Numbers for its Sentinel-class FRCs". SEAPOWER Magazine. December 12, 2017. Archived from the original on December 13, 2017. Retrieved 2017-12-31.


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