Lester A. Dessez

Lester Adolphus Dessez (June 20, 1896 – February 12, 1981) was a decorated officer of the United States Marine Corps with the rank of brigadier general. He is most noted as commanding officer of 7th Defense Battalion during World War II.

Early career

Dessez was born on June 20, 1896, in Ballston, Virginia. His family later moved back to Washington, D.C., and Lester grew up as a fifth-generation Washingtonian. His great-grandfather fought in Battle of Bladensburg in 1814. During his years at Eastern High School, Dessez was a member of student cadets and took part in the summer training camps of Army and Navy during his studies. He first learned about the Marine Corps when he was a student and was attached to the rifle training at Marine Corps Rifle Range at Winthrop, Maryland. He applied for a commission in the Marine Corps and subsequently enlisted the service as private in April 1917.

Dessez was ordered to the Marine Barracks Parris Island, South Carolina, for his recruit training and served few months as an enlisted man. He excelled in his duties and was decorated with Marine Good Conduct Medal. Dessez was finally commissioned second lieutenant in the Marine Corps on October 10, 1917, and was ordered to the Marine Officers' School at Marine Barracks Quantico, Virginia. He finished his officer training in February 1918 and was attached to newly activated 11th Marine Regiment at Marine Barracks Quantico, Virginia.

In March 1941, Dessez led his battalion to Tutuila, American Samoa, within Rainbow Five plans. During his time in Tutuila, Dessez and his battalion were tasked with the training of 1st Samoan Battalion, a native reserve unit. He later supervised the deployment of his units to Upolu and Savai'i and also helped train units there.

Following the Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, Dessez and his unit provided the defense of the Samoan archipelago against air and land attack. He was later cited by commanding general of Second Marine Brigade, Henry L. Larsen, and received the Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V". Dessez was also promoted to the rank of colonel in May 1942.

Dessez was ordered back to the States in January 1943 and assigned to the instruction at Army Infantry School at Fort Benning, Georgia and graduated two months later.

He then served with V Amphibious Corps under Major General Holland Smith as corps personnel officer and later as corps chief of staff until December 1943. He then departed San Diego in order to attend instruction at Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Dessez was subsequently attached to the Office of Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Ernest King as Marine staff member. Dessez remained in this capacity for the remainder of the war and received the Navy Commendation Medal for his service there.

Postwar service

Dessez was ordered to Guam in January 1946 and appointed chief of staff of the Island Command under his old superior, Major General Henry L. Larsen. With the establishment of the Marine Barracks there, he became the commanding officer of that facility. He also served additional duty as director of island security and served on Guam until December 1947.

His final assignment was again with the Office of Chief of Naval Operations under Admiral Louis E. Denfeld. Dessez also served with the Joint Chiefs of Staff and received Army Commendation Medal. He retired from the active service on November 1, 1948, and was advanced to the rank of brigadier general for having been specially commended in combat.

Upon his retirement from the Marine Corps, Dessez served as a member of the Marine Corps Historical Foundation and was supporter of the Marine Corps Historical Program. He died on February 12, 1981, in Bethesda, Maryland, and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Decorations

Here is the ribbon bar of Brigadier General Lester A. Dessez: