J.T. Esteban

J.T. Esteban was a 23rd century Starfleet officer, captain of Federation starship Grissom in 2285.

Esteban's vessel was assigned the politically important mission of examining the controversial Genesis Planet, created in the disastrous implosion of Reliant in the Mutara Nebula. Assigned to his command were new science officer, Lt. Saavik and civilian Genesis Device co-developer Dr. David Marcus.

Esteban took careful moves throughout the mission, being sure to notify Starfleet of all developments before he authorized his crew to begin a full-scale study of the world. However, the danger was great, and Esteban and his entire crew, save sole survivors Saavik and David Marcus, perished under attack by Commander Kruge's Klingon Bird-of-Prey. (Star Trek III: The Search for Spock)

Esteban was played by Phillip R. Allen. While the creators of the film didn't leave any evidence what Esteban's initials stand for, a non-canon source, the Star Trek: The Next Generation Officer's Manual released for the FASA role-playing game lists a Decker-class destroyer, the USS Jonathan T. Esteban NCC-6005, purportedly named for this character. The Star Trek III novelization establishes that Esteban was an old friend of Admiral Kirk.