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.

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.

[1][2] Dessez was ordered to the Marine Barracks Parris Island, South Carolina, for his recruit training and served few months as an enlisted man.

[1] In July 1918, Lessez received temporary promotion to the rank of first lieutenant and later was appointed Aide-de-camp to barracks commander, Brigadier General Albertus W. Catlin.

When General Catlin was ordered to Haiti at the beginning of November 1918, to assume command of 1st Provisional Marine Brigade, he requested Dessez as his aide again.

[1] Following his detachment from USS Helena, Dessez joined Marine barracks at Naval Station Cavite, Philippine Islands, and served there until January 1922.

[1] He was then ordered to Haiti in July of that year and appointed Aide-de-camp to the American High Commissioner and commander of First Marine Brigade, Major General John H. Russell.

The sea duties came in late 1928, when he was appointed commanding officer of the Marine detachment aboard the battleship USS Maryland and took part in the several patrol cruises in Caribbean during Nicaraguan Campaign.

Dessez remained with the Office of Commandant just until November 1930 and then sailed to Paris, France, to attend the prestigious Ecole Superieure de Guerre, French General Staff School.

Dessez was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel following his departure from Quantico and subsequently assumed duties as an inspector-instructor with 10th Battalion, Marine Corps Reserve in New Orleans, Louisiana.

[1] Dessez was transferred to San Diego, California, and appointed assistant operations officer of 8th Marine Regiment under Colonel Henry L. Larsen.

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.