Hansen, Chester B. (Chester Bayard), 1917-2012

Colonel (COL) Chester (Chet) Bayard Hansen was born on 17 May 1917 in Elizabeth, New Jersey. He earned a degree in journalism from Syracuse University in 1939. In August 1941, Hansen was drafted into the United States Army. In the Army, Hansen attended basic and advanced infantry training and then was selected to attend Officer Candidate School (OCS) at Fort Benning. He graduated seventh in his class on 10 April 1942 and was commissioned a second lieutenant. Meanwhile, Major General Omar N. Bradley was looking for a new aide. He asked Richard Coursey, director of the OCS at Fort Benning, for assistance in finding an aide. Coursey recommended Hansen and Lewis Bridge. Bradley procured both men. Shortly after graduation from OCS, Hansen went to work for Bradley. In August 1942, Hansen was promoted to first lieutenant. He was assigned to the North African Theater of World War II in February 1943. Hansen kept a detailed personal diary during the war, discussing much of Bradley's activities. During the war, Hansen also served in Sicily, England, France and Germany. He was promoted to captain in March 1943 and major in June 1944. In June 1945, Hansen was assigned with Bradley at the Veterans Administration in Washington, D.C. Hansen officially remained an aide to Bradley but also served unofficially as chief of public relations. Hansen became a lieutenant colonel in July 1945. When Bradley became Army Chief of Staff in 1948, Hansen went with him to the Pentagon, as aide, unofficial public relations counsel, and chief letter and speech writer. Hansen served as Bradley's special assistant when Bradley became the first Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in 1949. In 1951, Bradley's World War II memoir, A Soldier's Story, was published. Hansen ghost wrote the memoir, gleaning much information from his diary. Bradley considered Hansen not just an aide, but "an associate and friend" who provided "devoted and invaluable assistance". In 1951, Hansen transferred to the U.S. Air Force and was assigned to the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), where he worked for director General Walter Bedell "Beedle" Smith in Washington, D.C. Later that year, he was sent to Wiesbaden, Germany. In 1955, Hansen left active duty and joined the reserves. He served in public relations for Gruen Watch Company, Early Newsome Advertising and International Business Machines Corporation. Hansen has appeared in historical documentaries, including the British Broadcasting Corporation's "D-Day to Berlin" in 2004.

From the description of Chester B. Hansen collection, 1928-1952, undated (bulk 1944-1951). (US Army, Mil Hist Institute). WorldCat record id: 601856949

Chester B. Hansen was a University of Syracuse graduate who was drafted and became Bradley's aide from 1942 through the war. Hansen graduated from the April 1942 Officers Candidate School (OCS) class at Fort Benning and was recommended to Bradley by Richard Coursey who was running the OCS operation. It was Hansen who ghost wrote Bradley's biography, A SOLDIER'S STORY.

From the description of Chester B. Hansen photograph collection. 1941-1948. (US Army, Mil Hist Institute). WorldCat record id: 52034578