Private Hesser was a member of Company H, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division. He was Killed in Action while fighting the enemy at "Bunker Hill" in South Korea on 13 August 1952.

For his leadership and valor, Private Hesser was awarded the Silver Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Naval Unit Citation, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.