Jack Dupree Hodge was born on March 20, 1921 in Alcolu, South Carolina. After he graduated from high school, he moved to Clemson and enrolled in the electrical engineering program in 1940. After the war began, he was eager to join the military. In late 1943, he dropped out of college and was selected for the aviation cadet program. After completing basic and advanced flight training, he was commissioned and awarded his wings. He then went on to receive training in single-engine fighter aircraft. He deployed to England in late 1944, and was assigned to the 78th Fighter Group at Duxford, flying missions with the 83rd Fighter Squadron.
He had flown approximately 16 missions when, on March 11, 1945, he was participating in bomber escort duty on a raid on Hamburg, Germany. He was flying P 51 (44-15627 ) 'Windy City Mama'. As the escort crossed the Danish coast over Herning in the Jylland Peninsula, he reported to his wingman that his aircraft was losing coolant, and the engine was overheating. He began a return flight to England, but soon decided to try for Sweden instead. The engine began running rough, and Hodge could not maintain altitude. His wingman encourage him to bail out, but Hodge stayed with the aircraft. He entered an undercast at 3,000 feet, and his wingman lost sight of him. Observers on the ground state he emerged from the undercast, trailing the aircraft. It appears he bailed out, but his parachute fouled on the tail. He was swept off by hitting a hedgerow just before the aircraft crashed near Oster Starup.
A doctor was called, but Hodge only lived about 20 minutes. He was taken to Oster Starup Church, and the Wermacht notified. They gave permission to hold a Christian funeral, and the Danes complied. The coffin, covered with an American flag, was carried to the grave by members of the parish council. Vicar S. Gambourg-Andersen performed the graveside service. After the war, Hodge’s mother decided he should remain there, and donated a baptismal font to the church for their kindness. On March 11, 2005, a memorial ceremony was held at the grave. Wreaths were laid by the American Embassy, the Danish Home Guard, and the Oster Starup Parish Vestry. Approximately 100 locals, as well as Lt. Hodge’s family, attended
SOURCE: https://soh.alumni.clemson.edu