Hopp Raymond Chester

Name:

Raymond Chester Hopp

Rank:

Second Lieutenant

Serial Number:

O-819812

Unit:

600th Bomber Squadron, 398th Bomber Group, Heavy

Date of Death:

1944-07-07

State:

Illinois

Cemetery:

Ardennes American Cemetery and Memorial, Neuville-en-Condroz, Arrondissement de Ličge, Ličge, Belgium

Plot:

A

Row:

44

Grave:

5

Decoration:

Air Medal, Purple Heart

Comments:

Raymond Chester Hopp was born on June 11, 1923, in La Salle, LaSalle County, Illinois. He was the son of Fred Hopp and Victoria Mackiewicz Hopp. He served in the 600th Bomber Squadron, 398th Bomb Group, Heavy, as a Second Lieutenant and Co-Pilot of B-17 #42-107218 nicknamed ''Agony Wagon II'' during World War II.

On July 7, 1944, Agony Wagon II participated in a bombing mission targeting Leipzig, Germany. During the mission, the aircraft was struck by anti-aircraft fire (flak) and crashed near Bad Düben, close to Leipzig. Of the nine crew members, eight survived and were taken as prisoners of war. 2Lt. Raymond C. Hopp was killed during an escape attempt after being captured.

2Lt Hopp is now buried in the Ardennes American Cemetery and Memorial, Neuville-en-Condroz, Arrondissement de Ličge, Ličge, Belgium. Raymond C. Hopp's name is inscribed on the Anstey Window Memorial in Panel 2 (center), on Butterfly 14, in the top right wing (section B).

Source of information:www.americanairmuseum.com, b17flyingfortress.de, www.398th.org//span>