Bolivian Order of Aeronautical Merit Commander Grade Awarded to US Major General

Description

This Artifact is a Posthumously awarded Bolivian Medal of Aeronautical Merit to the late Major General John K. Hester.
The
'Bolivian Orden del Mérito Aeronáutico'
or Order of Aeronautical Merit is an award established in the 21st of July 1965 - only three months after General Hester died in a tragic military parachuting accident in Germany.
This medal was awarded posthumously to Major General Hester in the 8th of April 1969. This date is significant as Hester was pronounced dead April 7th 1965. The medal is awarded under the grade of
'Comendador,'
or Commander. This lot includes the hinged presentation case, the medal with silk neck ribbon, the individual ribbon with devices (2 stars), the full-size award certificate, and a studio photo of General Hester in 11" x 14".
The case is in excellent condition with a fully functioning locking device. The cushioned lining is bright and complete. The case's hinges are functioning but are not fixed to the case and wiggle free when repeatedly manipulated. This issue does not detract from it's displayability or function. The neck ribbon is in perfect condition with no staining or wear and with the claps present and fully functional. The bronze gilt and blue enamel is in great condition save for some slight imperfections in the
enameling
process. The detail on the medal is also pristine and one can even make out the llama in the Coat of Arms being held by the Condor. The ribbon with devices is in excellent condition and there is no notable damage or wear to the certificate.
Major General Hester's career began in 1938 and eventually took him to China where he flew 50 combat missions against the Japanese as a fighter pilot with the 14th Air Force, the famous "Flying Tigers." Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, and Air Medal as a Squadron Commander, Hester later served on Curtis LeMay's Air Staff and became the Commanding General of the 17th Air Force at Ramstein AFB, Germany. His promising career was cut short when he succumbed to injuries resulting from a military parachute jump in April 1965. To learn more about General Hester's remarkable career, click on the attached video! This artifact has been entrusted to Heritage Arsenal for consignment by the family of Major General John K. Hester and has not previously been resident in any collection or museum.
See the below video for more information on Maj Gen John K. Hester
Remembering Major General John K Hester -\"Flying Tiger\" Distinguished Flying Cross Recipient
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