Maurice Jester
| Maurice D. Jester | |
|---|---|
| |
| 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 2, 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]
References
- ↑ 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.”
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 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.
- ↑ 3.0 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.”
- ↑ Mark P. Schock (1978). SUMMARY JUSTICE: THE PRICE OF TREASON FOR EIGHT WORLD WAR II GERMAN PRISONERS OF WAR 66-70. Wichita State University.
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