HESTER, CHARLES

Charles Hester was born on 07 June 1983 and moved to Bremerton Washington in the sixth grade. While in Bremerton, he attended Mountain View Middle School, Bremerton Junior High and Bremerton High. After high school, he moved to Cataldo Idaho where he met his wife and they would go on to have a daughter. Charles is remembered as a dependable and talented son, brother, friend and soldier. 

PFC Hester joined the Army in May 2004 where he would go on to become a Stryker driver. The Stryker is an eight-wheeled, all-wheel-drive armored combat vehicle used by the U.S. Army to transport infantry troops and provide rapid tactical support. PFC Hester was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team), at Fort Lewis.  

PFC Hester was an avid guitar player and once made the pilgrimage to Jimi Hendrix's grave, where he buried a guitar pick. "Hester loved the oldies," recalled his former squad leader, Staff Sgt. Chess Johnson. "I could never come up with a song that he couldn't come up with the lyrics, perfectly." And when the boys in the back of the Stryker mangled a tune, "he was never shy about correcting us. His voice would come over the squawk box and tell us how to sing the song."  

PFC Hester died on 26 May 2007 from wounds he received when his Stryker vehicle was struck by a roadside bomb. 

Hester was also awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart posthumously. 

According to his mother Jody Flanig, she said that her son had earned the Bronze Star when he drove his combat vehicle between the enemy and his fellow soldiers to give them cover during the incident in which he was killed. 

His awards include the Bronze Star medal, Purple Heart Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Global War on Terror Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal and Iraq Campaign Medal. 

The Washington State Fallen Heroes Project proudly remembers PFC Charles Hester for his service, sacrifice, and commitment to our nation. Our hope is that his life continues to inspire all who learn his story.