Army Records ~ Remember to evaluate all sources!

As many of you are aware, there was a fire in 1973 that destroyed “approximately 18 million service members’ records at the National Personnel Records Center”[1].  Among those records were those of my Grandfather, John S. Hopkins.  There is always more than one side to the story, though, I remember my Grandpa saying that when they were flying home, one plane had men and the other plan had war records. The plane with the war records went down and they made it home.  I’ll leave it up to you to decide which story you like better.

Despite the tragic losses, we do have my Grandpa John’s Discharge papers, which is more information than the Army had on him.  But, while reading through them, there were some issues.  He always said he was in the 517^th PIR Division and we had postcards with that return address. The Discharge papers had 531^st PIR & 513^th PIR on them.  So after diligent research with my Uncle, we discovered yes, there was a 517^th PIR and a 513^th PIR but there was no 531^st PIR!  With the help of Don Gentry from the 517^th  Parachute Regimental Combat Team Association, we petitioned the Department of the Army and the Board for Correction of Military Records for my Grandpa’s record to be corrected and his metals to be awarded.

Because we were able to provide John’s certificate of death, Enlistment Record & Report of Separation, as well as records from the World War II Prisoners of War, Record Group 389, we were granted a review of our case.  The board reviewed our case and made the corrections to John’s record, awarded additional medals that were due and gave us a wonderful historical record of the 17^th Airborne Division.

We were then able to re-assemble my Grandpa’s uniform jacket with his medals for the family.

Kelly

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[1] "Record of Proceedings; Case of Hopkins, John S. (Deceased),'" Docket Number AR20070014427, 6 May 2008, Department of the Army, Board for Correction of Military Records, Arlington, Virginia.

From the U.S. Paratroops with Love

Sweetheart

"I thought that you

would like to know

that someone's

thoughts go

where you go

That someone never

can forget

The hours we spent

since first we met

And now my constant

prayer will be

That GOD may keep

you safe for me."

John S. Hopkins sent home three scarves to Ruby E. Rogers while he was stationed at Camp Mackall, North Carolina.  This one has no date stamped on it, but the return address and the rubber stamp over the postage stamps state Camp Mackall, North Carolina as the departure.  At this time during John's enlistment, he was in the Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 517 Parachute Infantry Regiment.

At some point before March of 1943 John was transferred to the 513th Parachute Infantry Regiment, still under the 17th Airborne Division.  We are not 100% sure of the reason, but one theory is because he broke his wrist.  According to Ruby, he was in a fight and a missed punch hit the wall and his wrist broke.  He used the excuse of breaking it roller skating so he could avoid trouble.  Paratroopers had to be in tip top physical shape and could not have any broken bones.

Kelly

Sentimental Sunday

In memory of my hero, my Grandpa, John Sheridan Hopkins, 1924-1994. Grandpa served in World War II 513th Parachute Infantry Regiment, the 517th Airborne Division ~ "Thunder from Heaven". Grandpa was involved in the Battle of the Bulge where he was shot in the neck, where the bullet remained until his death as it was too close to the spine to remove at that time. He was captured by the Germans in January, installed in a prison camp and was liberated by the General Patton in April.

Grandpa never talked about his time in the War, which is understandable. Many years after his death I found out that he did pull his older son aside at one time and told him some information about his time in the War, but that is all. Since then, I have pieced together his time in the military, reunited the family with the 517th clan and with thier help, tracked down my Grandpa's buddy Private Weber, whom we were able to talk with and learn more about their time together in training and Europe.

To Grandpa, thank you!

Kelly