JOE HOOPER

Medal of Honor Winner Foil’s NBA’s Destruction Attempt

FIREBASE BASTOGNE - Four NVA soldiers recently had their attempts to destroy several American helicopters foiled by Medal of Honor winner 2LT Joe Hooper, Zillah, Wash., Co. A, 2nd Bn. (Ambl.), 501st Inf. and four men of his platoon, near FB Bastogne.

"We CAed into a small LZ," said 2LT Hooper, "As soon as I got off the bird, four NVA soldiers opened up on us with small arms fire and hand grenades. My bird was the only one to land and there were five of us on it."

As the rest of his platoon circled above, Hooper directed his four-man squad to engage the enemy with what weapons they had. In the initial contact, the five Drive On troopers killed two NVA soldiers and wounded the other two.

As the fighting continued, Hooper called in air strikes and ARA on the enemy position. By noon the enemy fire had ceased and Hooper called in the remainder of his platoon, who linked up with the 1st Plat. and the two units searched for the enemy.

At 1:00 p.m. enemy mortar fire came whistling into Hooper's position. Exposing himself to extensive enemy fire, Hooper made sure his men were in secure areas and again called in air strikes and ARA.

When the mortar barrage stopped, Hooper, organized his platoon and the 1st Plat. for a slow withdrawal through the enemy infested area. In limited daylight, the two platoons joined the rest of the company and routed the enemy soldiers from the area.

For his valorous action, Hooper received the Silver Star, his second one, during an awards ceremony at FB Bastogne. Sixteen other soldiers received Bronze Stars with "V" device and ARCOMs with "V" device for their heroic deeds.

Screaming Eagle, Apr 71