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NORFOLK, Va. (Jan. 9, 2015) – Ms. Mary Clark, gold star mother of Pfc. Michael Hopkins, a Medal of Honor recipient, lays a wreath at the Pfc. Hopkins Memorial at Camp Allen Jan. 9. Clark traditionally places a wreath on the Hopkins Memorial on his birthday, 22 December, but had to postpone the ceremony this year due to weather. Pfc. Hopkins is a Posthumous Navy Cross recipient for heroic actions during Operation Macon on 4 July 1966 while assigned to K Co, 3/9, 3rd MARDIV as an automatic rifleman. He was 21 years old. His 13 month tour of duty would have been over in August. Hopkins saved injured LVT crewmen, he made six trips across open ground to resupply his forward position (occupied with three other Marines) with ammunition, aided his Squad Leader who had fallen from wounds, and provided covering fire to a Corpsman seeking to aid his Squad Leader. As he continued the fight, the Corpsman and Squad Leader were killed by an enemy grenade. Realizing that the enemy fire was too intense for others to reach his forward position, he deliberately exposed himself in order to divert attention away from his comrades. Taking the full force of the enemy fire in his own body, he gallantly gave his life for his fellow Marines and his Country. Hopkins started basic training at Parris Island, SC during February 1963. He shipped to Vietnam in November 1963 and served with Navy Task Force 77, operating off the coast of Vietnam. He completed this first thirteen month tour in December 1964. He joined K Co, 3/9 in Vietnam during July 1965 and was Killed-in-Action twelve months later. Vietnam War Memorial - Panel 08E, Line 129.
150109-M-JL266-002.JPG Photo By: Steve Kotecki

Jan 9, 2015
Norfolk, Va - NORFOLK, Va. (Jan. 9, 2015) – Ms. Mary Clark, gold star mother of Pfc. Michael Hopkins, a Medal of Honor recipient, lays a wreath at the Pfc. Hopkins Memorial at Camp Allen Jan. 9. Clark traditionally places a wreath on the Hopkins Memorial on his birthday, 22 December, but had to postpone the ceremony this year due to weather. Pfc. Hopkins is a Posthumous Navy Cross recipient for heroic actions during Operation Macon on 4 July 1966 while assigned to K Co, 3/9, 3rd MARDIV as an automatic rifleman. He was 21 years old. His 13 month tour of duty would have been over in August. Hopkins saved injured LVT crewmen, he made six trips across open ground to resupply his forward position (occupied with three other Marines) with ammunition, aided his Squad Leader who had fallen from wounds, and provided covering fire to a Corpsman seeking to aid his Squad Leader. As he continued the fight, the Corpsman and Squad Leader were killed by an enemy grenade. Realizing that the enemy fire was too intense for others to reach his forward position, he deliberately exposed himself in order to divert attention away from his comrades. Taking the full force of the enemy fire in his own body, he gallantly gave his life for his fellow Marines and his Country. Hopkins started basic training at Parris Island, SC during February 1963. He shipped to Vietnam in November 1963 and served with Navy Task Force 77, operating off the coast of Vietnam. He completed this first thirteen month tour in December 1964. He joined K Co, 3/9 in Vietnam during July 1965 and was Killed-in-Action twelve months later. Vietnam War Memorial - Panel 08E, Line 129.


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FLEET MARINE FORCE, ATLANTIC, MARINE FORCES COMMAND, MARINE FORCES NORTHERN COMMAND